WARNING TO INDIA

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1943, Page 5

WARNING TO INDIA

JAPANESE MAY ENTER General Auchinieck’s Broadcast [Aust. & N.Z. Press Assm] (Rec. 9.5.) LONDON, Dec. 14. General Auchmleck, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, in a broadcast, warned Inaia that the Japanese may; try to cross India’s frontiers, or even to land small parties from' the sea in an attempt to spread alarm and confusion, says “The Times” correspondent at Headquarters in India. “General Auchinleck added that the Japanese would be made to pay heavily for such attempts, whereby they could hope only to interfere with the country s war effort, thereby) delaying an Allied oifensive. He considered that the time was past when the Japanese could consider a serious sea or air invasion of India. General Auchinleck spoke of the part that India would play in war against Japan. He explained operations in the IndoBurma’ theatre, .now under the command of Lord Mountbatten. The defence of India itself remained the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief in India, except the IndoEurmese frontier. For this troops in Assam and Eastern Bengal were responsible under Lord Mountbatten’s command. The India Command had a great and growing responsibility for maintenance of forces on land, sea and air that would take the offensive against the Japanese, when the time was ripe. That was a tremendous task. The majority oi the troops and part of the Navy and Air Force, already in action, were Indians. India would have to help in providing needs for the very powerful air and sea forces from Britain and United States to be sent against the enemy. “The Times” correspondent says: “The purpose of General Auchinieck’s statement is clearly to prepare opinion for any move that the enemy may make in the . coming weeks while operations of the Southwest Asia Command are still in a planning stage.