THE WAR IN BURMA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 119, 20 April 1942, Page 4

THE WAR IN BURMA.

With the subduing of organised resistance in the South-West Pacific the Japanese are able to concentrate a very large army in Burma to try to bring this phase of its operations to a close. There are reports of huge reinforcements—estimated at 100,000 men—which no doubt are designed to help in reaching a decisive victory before the rams start very shortly, Because of severe enemy pressure the Imperial forces have withdrawn further to the north on the Irrawacldy front. The Japanese are now dangerously close to the oilfields and the scorched earth policy has already been put into operation to deny the enemy the fruits he wants. A significant statement on the position Burma occupies in relation to the war has been made by BrigadierGeneral Royce, who commanded the squadron of bombers which attacked the Philippines. Burma, he says, is the vital spot from which to hit the Japanese. If the Allies could get sufficient planes into Burma and strike, across into China they could cut the Japanese trail from the Philippines southward with long,range bombers. Obviously the Japanese are aware of this danger, hence their eagerness to win a clear cut victory at the earliest moment. But they face a determined Imperial force, assisted by a magnificent Chinese army which is fighting with great heroism to the north of the Imperial troops. Japan's fanwise spread to the west must ultimately make her communications extremely hazardous.