Allies lighten Grip on Irrawaddy

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 44, 21 February 1945, Page 5

Allies lighten Grip on Irrawaddy

Chinese Nearing Head of Burma Road (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Tuesday, 11.36 p.m. BOMBAY, Feb. 20. “The extension of the Thirtythird Corps’ bridgehead across the Irrawaddy opposite Myinum continued in the face of enemy counterattacks and artillery fire, * ’ states a Southeast Asia Command communique. “Further progress has been made in the Singu bridgehead area north of Mandalay. “The fifteenth Indian Corps cleared the Kangan area of Japanese, and British and Indian troops have linked up with the West African forces who moved down the Kaladan Valley. “Troops of the Chinese First Army operating in the northern combat area are approaching Hsenwi on the Burma Road 32 miles from Lashio. “In the Myitson sector the British Thirtysixth Division has counted over 350 Japanese dead after the failure of the enemy counterattack reported in yesterday’s communique. The Japanese employed concentrated artillery fire and flamethrowers for this attack. “The Irrawaddy oilfield town of Chauk was bombed and enemy gun positions strafed yesterday by aircraft of the Eastern Air Command.