HARD FIGHTING

Grey River Argus, 1 May 1944, Page 5

HARD FIGHTING

AHEAD IN BURMA Both Sides Reinforced [Aus. & N.Z- Press Assn.] (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, April 29. ‘‘Hard fighting lies before us in Burma, but the true picture is nor. hidden, and there is every reason to believe that the outcome of the prereV n operations will be successful, ’ says an official statement from tne headquarters of the South-east Asia Allied Command. “Allied operations are taking the form of initially locating and pinning down the Japanese forces, and of preventing them from gaining the full use of the roads, thereby making it difficult for them to bring up heavv war equipment and motor transport. Later we intend to attack and destroy the enemy. Because of the nature of the terrain and the difficulty of locating the Japanese, it is unlikely that the battle will be brought to a successful conclusion for several weeks Meanwhile, we have cut the Japanese, communications in the heart of Burma. Major operations will be restricted when the monsoon starts, but the important object of advancing on the Ledo road will be pursued relentlessly - “The Japanese strength since the formation of the Allied South-east Asia Command has increased considerably. The enemy has strong forces in Burma.. They are stronger than the public thinks. Since the Japanese have the advantage of interior communications, we must expect extensive action on their part against one or other of the sectors on this front.

An Allied communique stated: Men of an English West County regiment have eased the position of the garrison in Kohima. Supported by tanks, they successfully attacked at Kohima, capturing positions and destroying several enemy strongpoints. Chinese in North Burma, despite a strong enemy resistance; continue to cross the Lahkra River. “Enemy fighters and bombers on Wednesday swept the Kohima and Tulihal areas. One was destroyed, four were probably destroyed, and eight were damaged Our fighterbombers and dive-bombers attacked positions in the Imphal and Kohima areas. They destroyed thirty-four river craft and a large number of barges. American bombers attacked the railway between Shwebo and Ywataung, damaging the line at four points.” Reinforcements for Kohima are flowing up the road from Dimapur. Kohima stands on the hills block ng the south-eastern end of the Zubza Valley. The Japanese want it as a base for monsoon operations. On the hills and ridges around it they have laid out a great fish hook of defence. The shank of the hook runs northwest, parallel with the Dimapur-Ko-hima Road, and the bend makes a circle round Kohima. Somewhere to the south the noint and the barb have been placed to guard the flank and cover the road to Imphal.

SOME JAPS IN KOHIMA (Rec. 11.15) LONDON, April 30. Heavy fighting has again broken out inside Kohima, reports a Reuter correspondent at the Fourteenth Army Headquarters. There is a Japanese force well established on high ground in the township.. However, the Allied position is daily improving in the residential area. Operations in China CHUNGKING, April 28 The Chinese military authorities have announced that the Japanese) occupied Chengchow, the important rail centre in Honan. (Reec. 9.15.) LONDON, April 29. The Associated Press correspondent at Chungking says: Chinese defenders have driven the Japanese from the strategic Hulao Pass, gateway to Loyang. annihilating a large part of the invaders.'

Chinese ’planes attacked Japanese forces between Yungyang and Hulao, inflicting heavv losses on the enemy. A Chinese communique reports Chinese .forces reached the outskirts of Mihlsien, in Honan Province, on Thursday. A Japanese column which was driving southward from Chengchow. eastward of the Peiping-Jan-kow railway, has been halted and forced back after advancing thirty miles. The Chinese High Command described the general situation as improved. Chinese forces in North Burma captured Manpin. 25 miles from Mogaung. and also dislodged the enemy forces from Kauri, in western Mogaung Valiev. A major battle in Mogaung Valiev is proceeding along the Lahkraw River. The Japanese are attempting to prevent Chinese crossings. CHINESE DIFFICULTIES. (Rec. 10.30.) LONDON, April 30. A Washington message says: The Chinese Ambassador, Weitao Ming, who has just returned from Chung king, expressed the opinion that this year is the hardest of the Asia wai, because of increasing economic difficulties among the Chinese.