Two-Way Assault To Drive Japs From Assam

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 5

Two-Way Assault To Drive Japs From Assam

(Rec. 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. At least 4900 Japanese have been killed in Imphal area since the Japanese offensive began, says the British United Press correspondent at Colombo. Actual figures probably would be nearer double this number if they took into account those killed by Allied bombing and shelling and the many hundreds whom the Japanese buried. Allies Gather Strength

Long columns of Allied troops, tanks and guns arc moving towards Kohima, according to an observer at the front, to add to the hitting power of the garrison for the impending assault on the enemy from Kohima on Sunday. Vengeance planes dive-bombed a position in the hills and ridges of Kohima. Artillery joined in the attack. A softening up process is in operation and a protective screen is being formed for an assault. Meanwhile the advance continued from points about 30 miles from Imphal. South-East Asia headquarters reports: “There is no material change in the Kohima area where mopping-up continues."

The Allies have launched a two-day counter-offensive aimed to drive the Japanese from Assam, says the “Daily Mail’s” correspondent on the Assam front. Our troops attacked Imphal plain and also from Dimapur. The Japanese are yielding ground at Kohima and Imphal, but are falling back to strong positions. The Colombo correspondent of the British United Press states that the besieged garrison at Kohima has been completely relieved. The Kohima-Dimapur road is still threatened, but is now open along the entire length. A .South-East Asia communique states that the road from Kohima to Dimapur. though still threatened in places, is at present open and the relief of the original garrison at Kohima which withstood all attempts to capture the town has been completed. North-east of Imphal our troops are operating' on the Ukhrul road, some JO miles from Imphal. There has been fierce fighting' since Friday for hill positions on the Palel-Tamu road. In the Bishentpur area, a Japanese attack on Saturday evening was repulsed. Heavy lighting continues in the neighbourhood of Kinpi The communique adds that in North Burma Chinese troops west of Mogaung made a further advance. On the Arakan front there has been increased activity. The enemy suffered heavy casualties from an- unsuccessful attack on our positions north-west of Buthidaung. Widespread Allied air activities inflicted heavy damage on enemy communications and ammunition dumps. All the Allied planes returned. Heavy Enemy Losses

For every Allied soldier of the special force killed lighting' behind the .Japanese lines in Burma, four Japanese died in tin last, fortnight of March. In three battles lasting nine days around the rail-road tilock established on the lines of enemy communications by our force., the proportion of enemy losses was as great as

7 to 1. Altogether the Japanese lost over 1330 with wounded and prisoners. Rumours of disagreement in the Allied High Command in South-east Asia which have appeared in the world Press, are

strongly repudiated in official quarters in

London, where it is stated on good authority that there is no divergenee between the Indian and South-east Asia commands, or between the British and American view on the conduct of the campaign.

While serious criticism is not resented repetition of baseless scandal is fell to la unfair to the troops fighting an arduous and difficult campaign, and likely to serv< no useful purpose except to the Japanese.