ADVANCES BY ALLIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 121, 20 April 1944, Page 5

ADVANCES BY ALLIES

ON BURMESE BORDER GOOD AIR SUPPORT (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 19. Further advances by Allied infantry and tanks north-cast of the Imphal Plain are announced in it South-East Asia communique. Tho message states: '-'On the Arakan front yesterday our offensive patrolling was continued south of the Mnungdaw-Buthidaung road in conjunction with dive-bombing and fighter attacks. An enemy raiding party which attempted to reach a road in the eastern foothills of the Mayu Range was repulsed. In the Kaladan area contact with tho enemy was maintained. South of the Imphal Plain, on the Tiddim road, there was little activity on Mondav. West of Bishenpore and south of the track to Silchar bitter fighting continues for a hill feature the possession of which has been in dispute for two days. On Monday night our troops repvlscd two Japanese attacks on our positions east of Pale]. In this area Spitfires destroyed one enemy aircraft and damaged four others of a formation which dropped a few bombs. North-east of "the Imphal Plain out infantry, supported by tanks, made further advances. On Monday three small enemy positions were captured. There is no change in the situation in the Kohiina area. In the Mogaung Valley units of the 38th. Chinese Division reached the Lankraw River, east of the road and south of Tillering, where they encountered artillery fire. The 22nd Chinese Division was engaged with the Japanese in the Warazup area. Heavy bombers of the 10th D.SA.A.F. in daylight yesterday attacked tho Ycnangyaung oil plants. Medium bombers attacked the Manda-lay-Shwebo railway, 25 hits on the railway track being observed. Fighterbombers of the air commando force detailed for ground support in the Mawlu area in daylight on Monday were diverted to intercept enemy raiders. The aircraft after their jettisoning bombs over enemy territory made contact with 12 enemy fighters in the Tamu area and in the ensuing individual air combats three enemy fighters were destroyed and three'more damaged. Fighters, fighterbombers, and dive-bombers were active by day and night in the Arakan, Mayu, Kaladan, and North-West Burma areas. No Allied aircraft sue missing.—Official Wireless. Indian infantry and captured Japanese gun positions on Ninshigun hill, a tew miles north of Imphal, says Reuter's Calcutta correspondent, quoted by the Press Association. At least 400 Japanese were killed. Some of the enemy units were almost annihilated. Our casualties were light.