READJUSTED LINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 7

READJUSTED LINE

ALLIES IN BURMA STRONGER POSITION COMMUNICATION PROBLEM (Eecd. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 7 Readjustments of the Allied line in Burma have been prompted by the need to obtain a more suitable defensive front for meeting the heavier concentrations of the Japanese which have resulted from the fall of Rangoon and developments in other Eastern war zones, says the Times' correspondent in New Delhi. The enemy's air strength has been substantially augmented, while some

of our forward aerodromes are out of commission, adding difficulties to maintaining a more southerly front than that at present held. The new front is regarded as more suitable for the defenders than the attackers. It is easier to defend in depth, because it is shorter. The Japanese are also given less opportunity for encircling movements, while the danger from seaborne flank attacks has been lessened. Whereas the Allies' communications formerly were parallel to the front, they at present stretch to the Allies rear, and a specific enemy advance would not necessarily threaten our communications. Unfortunately the Allies' communications do not reach India, which is the real supply base. Improvements are being made in communications through the difficult hill and jungle country between Upp®r Burma and Assam, but supplies and reinforcements can never be sent as easily as by eea through Rangoon. Burmese Traitors Many Burmese traitors are drawn from the Thakin (Masters) political party, which before the war indulged in semi-military training. Thakin leaders in recent years sponsored subversive agitation, creating a spirit of indiscipline and arousing contempt for established order. Thakin followers have long regarded British capital and Indian labour as the primary causes of Burma's economic servitude. Japanese claims that traitors have also been drawn from the- Burmese army arc wholly false. In an authoritative review issued at New Delhi it is stated that the Allied forces in Burma are fighting against time with two principal objects—the development of land communications between Burma and India to enable large reinforcements to be sent to Burma and the building up of air forces for the protection of India and attacks on the enemv. The Allied forces in the fighting around Prome are still intact and their losses have been relatively light. It is estimated that in the Prome battle the Japanese lost 1000 men killed and a proportionate number wounded. Japanese Still Advancing The Japanese are still advancing on the Prome front, says the Chinese military spokesman. They are pressing forward in hundreds of army trucks and tanks. In the Toungoo region, where the fighting is continuing, the Chinese forces have halted the Japanese advance. There was contact yesterday only with enemy patrols on the Irrawaddy front, states a Burma communique. There was not much air activity during the day. Our forces are still in process of taking up their new positions, which are now north of Thayetmyo, a town about 40 miles north of Prome. The oil and cement installations at Thayetmyo and Allanmyo, close by, were successfully demolished before our forces withdrew. The latest information about the enemy is that a column on the west bank of the Irrawaddy was located north ,of Kama, half way between Prome and Thayetmyo, and another on the east bank about Myaungbinziek, with elements moving north-east up the Sinjok Valley. A town in central Burma was bombed yesterday morning. There were very few casualties and no damage.

A Burma communique announces that the British have evacuated Thayetmyo and Allanmyo.