CLAWS MENACE SUPPLY ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24203, 19 February 1942, Page 7

CLAWS MENACE SUPPLY ROAD

CONCENTRATION OF CHINESE FORCES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 19. 12.40 a.m.) LONDON. February 18 ■» ' , The Japanese High Command apparently is making extensive preparations for a grand offensive against Burma, according to the Chinese military spokesman in Chungking. He said the Japanese landed 30,000 troops at Haiphong, French Indo-China, on February 5. Already two divisions of Japanese were in Burma and more were now available from Malaya. Large numbers of Chinese troops were continuously being moved to bolster the Burma defences. The Japanese landing at Haiphong constitutes a grave new threat to Burma, says the Rangoon correspondent of the Daily •Express. It may be assumed that by now they are in a position to attack the railway that runs from Haiphong for 220 miles to the Chinese border, then for 160 miles through Yunnan Province to Kunming, on the Burma Road. The first major action by the Chinese in defence of the Burma Road seems to be imminent, adds the correspondent. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's forces are not unprepared. The Chinese have been concentrating in .the Yunnan Province ever since the Japanese seized Indo-China last July. While this Japanese army is pushing toward Kunming another is likely to reinforce the enemy troops on'the Bilin River in Burma. The Japanese forces in the Thaton sector of the Burma front are now north of Rangoon, states another report. The enemy strategy undoubtedly is to develop a sweep to the westward menacing Pegu, about 50 miles north of Rangoon, and thus constitute a serious threat to the lower end of the Burma Road and the important railway link with Mandalay. However, strong British forces bar the way.

The Daily Mail correspondent at Rangoon says the Japanese on some parts of the Bilin River front are only 30 miles from the Rangoon-Lashio railway. A narrow valley encloses the Bilin River, and mountains rise on the western side for over 3000 feet. The British troops drawn up on this line—Bo miles from Rangoon—expect heavy attacks. According to the Paris radio the Japanese are 30 miles from Pegu.

It is officially stated in Rangoon that there is no change in the situation on the Burma front The British forces are in position on the west bank of the Bilin River. Allied patrols have been in contact small enemy -units and British bombers have attacked targets in Moulmein. The Burma front now lies along the Bilin River in. the south and runs north-east to Dagwin, on the Salween River. The line is not a continuous one. Some correspondents think that the Japanese may attempt to force the Strait of Malacca in order to land troops on the Burma coast. There is no confirmation in London of a Japanese claim to have crossed the Bilin River.