BURMA LULL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24214, 4 March 1942, Page 5

BURMA LULL

CUTTING OF ROAD PATROL ACTIVITY ENEMY IN THAILAND (Reed. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, March 8 It is announced in Bombay that the Japanese have temporarily succeeded in cutting the Burma Road north of Pegu, as was stated in previous press reports. Travellers reaching Mandalay from Rangoon said traffic was still moving on the southern railway link of the Burma Road. The defenders were mopping up isolated Japanese patrols west of the Sittang River. The latest news from Burma makes . no mention of any fresh activity on the ground except by patrols. Renter's correspondent in Mandalay reports large concentrations of Japanese troops in ths north-west of Thailand. These troops may indicate that an early Japanese drive may be expected in this area. Enemy Reinforcements The Domei (Japanese) news agency says that five additional Chinese divisions have arrived in Burma. The British United Press correspondent in Mandalay says the Japanese are massing at two points along the Sittang River preparatory to a second attempt to cross the river. They are reported to be active in the Shwegyin area, where the river is less than 10 miles from the Burma Road. Big enemy forces are also concentrated at Waw, which was the scene of the last abortive attempt to cross the Sittang. Fighting in the Shan States so far has not been on a major scale; According to authoritative quarters in London the Allied forces are still on the west of the Sittang River, and the Japanese have not yet developed any big attack. The Japanese forces apparently have been treated rather roughly, both in the land fighting; and in the air, and it will take time for them to stage further advances. Air Force Busy There has been some diminution in air activity after the thrashings meted out to the Japanese in the middle of last week, states the Air Ministry news service but this does, not mean that the Allied air forces are idle. The Royal Air Force bomber squadrone have been kept hard at it day after day. The chief aim. of the R.A.F. command is to give all possible support to the army, which is opposing the advance of the Japanese foot by foot. Some Japanese columns must have suffered heavily. Over 50 enemy aircraft were shot out of the sky last Wednesday and Thursday, and apart from some losses on the ground the Allied losses were exceptionally small. There is no disposition on the part of the Allied air crews to think lightly of the Japanese. The general verdict h that thej shoot well and their bravery is fanatical. BUILDING UP INDIA'S DEFENCE FORCES HUGE WAR EXPENDITURE (Reed 5.35 p m.) LONDON, Mar. 2 Introducing the central Budget for 1942-43 in the Central Indian Assembly, the finance Minister disclosed a reI venue deficit of £12,7£>0 ; 000 for the' current year and prospective deficit of some £35,250,000 next year. The revised estimate of defence expenditure for 1941-42 is some £76,500,000 and this is expected to rise for 1942-43 to some £99,750,000. The Finance Minister said this was only a fraction of the total sum being spent in India on the war. All Indian cavalry regiments have been mechan r .. ised and additional units and new types j were steadily being raised and various training institutions have been [greatly increased,- By, resourceful improvisation and use of equipment it has been possible to push on fast with schemes for expansion of armament production. The Indian Navy was also expanding, two new sloops of the latest type now being in full commission and had already seen service. The development of the Air Force had proceeded as far as the provision of equipment and skilled technical personnel nad permitted. PROSPECT IN BURMA WAVELL MAN FOR TASK LONDON, Mar. 3 The Times states that the news of General Wavell's transfer will cause no surprise. His return to his old command will be welcomed, as the Japanese may be about to widen the scope of their offensive- in Burma, and his qualities of leadership make him th 6 obvious choice. The newspaper adds that General Wavell is the last man in the world to be daunted by the prospect that the situation may become worse before it is better. CLASHES IN DESERT LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE AUSTRALIAN PILOT'S DARING LONDON, Mar 2 Patrolling is still going on in Libya, according to informed circles in London, and small engagements between columns in this desert "no man's land" are reported but nothing of particular significance has taken place. The Cairo communique merely states that a small enemy column was met in the area east of Mekili and withdrew on being engaged by our artillery. A sergeant-pilot in an all-Australian fighter squadron in the Western Desert fought five Messerschmitt 109's single handed on Friday, says the Air Ministry news service. Flying in his first engagement since the squadron becanss an operational unit a few days ago, he joined with the formation in an attack on a strong force of enemy aircraft over TobruK. The Messerschmitts were acting as top cover to Junkers 88's, which attempted a low-level attaek on the town. Becoming separated from his squadron, the sergeant-pilot was set oppn from astern bv the five Messerschmitts. Turning swiftly and facing the enemv, he blasted his way through to attack. One of the leading Messerschmitts received the full benefit of the sergeantpilot's guns, turned over on its back and went spiralling down with smoke pouring from the engine. The sergeant is credited with one enemy aircrait definitely destroyed and one damaged.