2000 Japs Killed In North Burma Battle

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1944, Page 3

2000 Japs Killed In North Burma Battle

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 12. It is estimated that 2000 Japanese were killed when the Chinese 22nd and 38th Divisions and an American infantry unit effectively assisted by Chinese-operated tanks under an American commander, captured the villages of Maingkwan and Walawbum, north Burma. Much enemy material has been captured as Chinese and American forces continue mopping-up remnants of the Japanese 18th Division in these areas.

South-East Asia headquarters, giving this news continues: “On the west flank Chinese and Americans are pressing the retreating Japanese south of Ginswe Ga, Dna Payawn and Lelawn Ga. The east flank is advancing on Nwangkwang Ga, four miles east of Walawbum. Our troops west of the Mayu Range yesterday made further progress in the Razabil area. “In the area east of the range a few scattered enemy' parties still remained dug in on Friday'. Further east, our troops consolidated recent gains in the Buthidaung sector. “On or above Japanese airfields in Central Burma in the past four days, 61 enemy aircraft were destroyed. R.A;F. and United States bombers attacked enemy lines, communications, stores and installations throughout Burma. Three Allied aircraft are missing.” Allied bombers during a sweep in Central Burma airfields without loss destroyed 45 grounded Japanese planes. General Stilweli stated: “I am willing to hazard a guess that the entire Hukawng Valley will soon be ours.”

Japs in Confusion Liberators bombed Kowloon docks, on the mainland, opposite Hongkong, yesterdav. Fighter bombers attacked a Japanese freighter near Camphaport, leaving it sinking, says General .StilweU’s' communique. The Chinese, assisted by a Chinese tank unit, captured Walawbum south-eastwards of Maingkwan. The Japanese trapped by the Chinese-American thrust in the Maingkwan-Walawbum area, have already suffered more than 2000 casualties. says the Associated Press. Reports filtering through from the front indicate that the Japanese are withdrawing from North Burma in some confusion. General Merrill’s forces, deployed across the path of the Japanese retreat, are mowing them down, at every opportunity. Chinese and American tanks cut a wide path through the Japanese ranks in the Hukawng Valley, leaving 500 to 700 casualties in their wake.