BURMA CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1942, Page 5

BURMA CAMPAIGN

JAPANESE IN YUNNAN Encounter Rainy Season [Aust & N.Z. Cable Assn. J (Rec. 11.50) NEW YORK, May 20. The correspondent of the “New York Times” reports: The rainy season has begun throughout Yunnan Province. Torrents washed out roads, swelled rivers and hampered transportation. He says this will inevitably bring malaria and cholera. The defence of this Yunnan area is most important for China, because the Yunnan mountain valleys contain a considerable portion of the Chinese fighting strength, also new war factories, and also essential centres of tin, copper and iron production. Chinese Hopes OF ENEMY RETIRING (Rec. 11.50) CHUNGKING, May 20. The Governor of Yunnan Province addressing a memorial meeting, declared: “No matter how the situation may have .'deteriorated,, Yunnan will be defended.” He added: “The Japanese have not moved overdeeply into Yunnan. Instead, they probably will soon retire from the frontier as a result of Chinese pressure from the rear, and also because the terrain is definitely unfavourable for the invaders.”

Chinese demolition squads, operating over a 300-mile area in the lower Yunnan Province, blocked further Japanese thrusts by littering the invasion route with dynamited bridges, railroads and highways. Another aily for the Chinese has arrived, in the form of heavy rains, which are believed to herald the beginning of the monsoon season.

JAPS’ APRIi, PLANE LOSSES.

AMERICANS BAG 43.

CHUNGKING, May 20.

The American volunteer airmen’s group destroyed at least fifty-three Japanese planes during April. Of these, forty-seven were Navy Zero fighter planes, while four were heavy bombers and two light bombers. The group also destroyed thirty-seven Japanese motor Lorries. LONDON, May 20.

The American volunteer groups have daily carried cut low level bombing attacks against the Japanese motorised units, since the beginning of the enemy advance against Lashio, says “The Times” Delhi correspondent. American fliers and Chinese troops made the Japanese pay so heavily for the advance in Yunnan, towards the Salween River, that the enemy is at a standstill. The Chinese are still challenging every foot of the invaders’ advance in Yunnan and Burma. The Chinese scattered their units under a pre-arranged plan, but they are now regrouped to meet the Japanese advances. The cost in casualties to the Japanese of a further advance up the Burma Road will be certainly more than they can afford to pay.