WAR ITEMS

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1945, Page 5

WAR ITEMS

(Rec. 6.30). LONDON, May 12. Rubber and leather are likely to be the main supply worries for the United Nations this year, but otherwise an equilibrium of supply and demand has generally been achieved, says the Combined Raw Materials Boards’ annual report. . Cars, vacuum cleaners, electric kettles, and kitchenware, which British people have done without for five years, will be on sale within one or two months, says the "Sunday Express”. LONDON, May 12 Lancasters yesterday brought back from the Continent several thousand more Allied war prisoners. All bombers returning from the Continent flew over London to give repatriated men a thrill in seeing the capital from the air after long absence. (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, May 12 The food situation was as grave as at any time in the last six years and the Land Army would be needed at least until after the end of the Japanese war ,said Mr. Liewellin Hudson in a message to members of the Tana Army.

BURMA FRONT. (Rec. 6.30). COLOMBO, May 12. Indian troops, driving south along the Prome-Rangqqn road, are meeting strong opposition from Japanese rearguards. Groups of Japanese retiring from the north are trying to escape 'down the river in boats. They must run the gauntlet of British and Indian troops lying in ambush along the banks. Japanese are evacuating many villages two or three days before the 14th Army troops reach Eastern Burma, Allied aircraft are maintaining an unceasing vigil along Japanese escape routes to Siam, bombing roads and railways. Japanese aircraft made one of their few appearances in the Burma skies yesterday. They attacked 14th Army positions, doing little harm. CHINESE SUCCESS. (Rec. 7.10). CHUNGKING, May 13. The Chinese High Command an-

nounced that Chinese forces attacked retreating Japanese forces, falling on them from all sides, on the Honan front, following the- smashing of a Japanese drive against C’hihkiang. Chinese took three towns on the main Chihkiang-Paoking highway, including an important hub, Tachwaping. STALIN’S MESSAGE TO BEIRUT (Rec. 12.5) LONDON, May 13 Moscow radio said: Marshal Stalin sent a message to the President of the Lublin Polish Provisional Government, Mr. Beirut wishing success to the whole Polish people in the rebirth of a strong, independent, democratic Poland, and stating: “The unity of Allied nations fighting against Hitlerism will strengthen the independence of Poland and form an impregnable barrier against future Fascist aggression.”

JAPANESE NEGLECT PRISONERS (Rec 95) LONDON, April 13 An Indian Army observer stated that one-third of all British personnel captured in Burma died in prison camns within the first twelve months and it was estimated that these deaths resulted mostly from mnl nutrition. The observer stated most of the lives could have been Svedhad the Japanese rendered medical aid.