AUSTRALIA OR INDIA

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1943, Page 5

AUSTRALIA OR INDIA

Greater Forces Massed (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 24. The relentless Allied air activity, north of Australia' is linked with Japan’s southward designs by Lewis Sebring. Writing in Australia, he says: Japan is expected to take advantage of the Americans’ adsorption now in the grave Tunisian developments, which may require heavy reinforcements from the United States. Mr. S'ebnng stresses that, for two months past, enemy shipping has been pouring into the northern Solomons and the New Britain area. Mr. Sebring say's: That the reaction to this threat is not clear, but he gives March Ist as the possible date for an enemy move. This would enable the drive to be under way by March 6, which is the fortieth birthday of the Japanese Empress Nagako. No similar supporting estimates of Japanese early offensive intentions have y.et been circulated either in America' or in Australia. Indeed most American commentators believe that Japan’s main efforts will be directed towards driving the Chinese out of bases from which the Allies could bomb Japan. It also is reported, from Washington, that the Japanese have amassed a reserve army of one hundred thousand Indians.' Some' of these men are alleged to be British-trained troops, who were captured in Shanghai, Hongkong, Malaya, Singapore and Burma. They would be used if the Japanese decided to move against India. Such possibility would be- increased if Mahatma Gandhi were to die, thus causing chaos' in the country.

Jap Offensive in China PROGRESS IN YUNNAN. (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23. A Chinese communique at Chungking sa'yjs: In spite of determined Chinese insistence in South-western Yunnan the Japanese have made progress northward along the western bank of the Salween River, on the fifth day of heavy fighting, which is now continuing around Mamienkwan. There have been heavy casualties on both sides. So far the Japanese have failed to cross the Salween River. , . Severe fighting is also reported m the Kwangtung, Hupeh, and Hunan Provinces. R.A.F. RAIDS IN BURMA. JAPANESE OBJECTIVES SUFFER SEVERELY. (Rec. 1.17.) LONDON. Feb. 24. Successful attacks by R.A.F. planes against Japanese objectives in Burma are reported in a New Delhi communique, stating that Blenheims yesterday attacked the villages if Nyanungbwe and Pauktaw. Bombs burst in the target area, two large fires being stated in Pauktaw. Fighter patrols destroyed a coastal steamer near Pamree Island and dajnaged six locomotives and goods trucks m the Pmtha area R.A.F. planes last night bombed Akyab, Pocnagyun and Prome. AU of them returned JAP RAID IN ASSAM ON 'U.S.A. AIR BASE (Rec. 1.17) LONDON, Feb. 24. A small formation of Japanese bombers, escorted .by fighters, yesterday afternoon attacked from a high altitude the American air base in north-east Assam. Light . damage was done. Very few casualties were caused. This was the first Japanese attacked on the American base since the lats series of their raids on Allied Indian bases last October, when losses put the enemy on the defensive.