Attack Supply Lines In Northern Burma

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1944, Page 3

Attack Supply Lines In Northern Burma

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. Fourteenth Air Force fighters assisting Chinese and American troops, attacked Japanese supply lines in northern Burma destroying much construction equipment near Bhamo, strafing troops and headquarters building at Shenwe and setting fire to a fuel dump near Lashio, says General Stilwell’s communique. Other fighters attacked a ferry building and a bridge west of Takaw. Tokio radio claims that Japanese forces have surrounded the British Fourth Army on the Imphal Plain.

Chandra Bose, the Indian Nationalist leader, declared that the fall of Imphal was imminent. He added that he was ready to move in the establishment of a national government on Tndia soil. Jap. Objectives Fail After a month's operations, it is clear that although heavy fighting lies ahead, the Japanese offensive has failed in its primary objectives in Manipur and is losing its original impetus, says an official statement from Lord Mountbatten’s headquarters. The enemy ;\i the Manipur area is still confining himself to infiltration and local attacks and has not yet attempted a showdown for Imphal, where he must ultimately meet our concentrated forces. The Japanese objectives were Imphal and Kohima, from which they could threaten our communications through Assam and cut off our supplies for General Stilwell’s force in Northern Burma. Imphal is still firmly held and our forces north-eastward toward Litan have been extremely active throughout the week. The Japanese turned their main effort in the past week against the Kohima area, which they apparently decided must be captured before they embark any move against out line of communications in Assam. Bitter fighting has ensued at a heavy cost to the enemy and until the present threat is dissipated the situation cannot be regarded as fully satisfactory. Tokio official radio claims that the Japanese reached the forested area on the far side of Manipur plain north-west ol' Imphal and captured Moiraing, 25 miles south, of Imphal. The Allies have thrown in all available reserves, including American troops, into the battle for Manipur State. Allied resistance has stiffened accordingly and the rhythm ol the Japanese advance slowed down. Battle for Kohima

Fierce fighting is in progress in Kohima says Reuter’s correspondent at Lord Mountbatten’s headquarters. Enemy concentrations which were recently brought to this area are shelling strongly-defended positions at Kohima. The garrison is well dug in and inflicted heavy losses against the Japanese. Allied spearheads on April 18 cleared the Kohima-Dimapur Road sufficiently to enable Red Cross lorries to carry out the evacuation of all Allied wounded from Kohima. The garrison is very- short of water, which is rationed at a pint daily for all purposes. The men are depending on material dropped by parachute for other supplies.