Burmese Welcome Return Of British

Northern Advocate, 14 April 1944, Page 3

Burmese Welcome Return Of British

(8.0. W., 12.45 p.m.) RUGBY, April 13. After two years of Japanese rule, of methodically being looted of possessions, homes and even self-respect, the peoples of Burma are welcoming the troops of the Allied air-borne invasion as liberators from oppression, according to an officer who has just returned from covering activities of the Third Tactical Air Force at forward bases behind the enemy’s lines. For the first time since Japanese overlordship, a British observer brought first-hand eye-witness information out of Burma.

The facts of Japan's “enlightened” rule speak for themselves. For two years, Burmese villagers have been living under hardships imposed by the Japanese. Their cattle have been taken away and young men forcibly conscripted into coolie gangs. All the food the Japanese can lay hands on is stolen, Villages have been ransacked. Temples and religious monuments have been defiled by Japanese soldiers, who swaggered about, declaring themselves “lords of the earth.” “I visited a number of small villages in a valley,” said the officer, “and found the headman and villagers giving every assistance and cooperation to our forces. The Burmese are only too willing to help us. “A message was sent to one village that we required thatched grass roofing for a hospital building. Next morning the headman, with villagers, brought thatching grass Jo the hospital. When they were offered payment they refused, saying: ‘We don’t want money for helping you.' ” Hancl-to-Hand Fighting Allied forces, after heavy hand-to-hand fighting in the foothills northwest of Imphal Plain, have captured the position, states a South-East Asia communique. Contact has been maintained with the enemy on the Imphal-Tiddim Road where operations are confined to patrolling and artillery fire. The situation at Kohima has improved. The Americans east of the Mogaung Valley inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese and drove them from Ohpum. Fighter-bombers supported ground operations. They ..started large fires and caused a violent explosion among installations north of Mogaung. Fighters, fighter-bombers and dive'bomibers attacked communications, supply lines and installations in the Arakan, Kaladan, Mayu, Chin Hills and Cliindwin Valle-v areas.