SECOND EDITION SERIOUS PLIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 8

SECOND EDITION SERIOUS PLIGHT

POSITION IN BURMA PLANES SORELY NEEDED RACE FOR OILFIELDS (Rccd. 1.26 a.m.) LONDON, April 8 The situation in Burma looks serious, for unless air reinforcements arrive very soon Lieutenant-General Sir H. Alexander may be forced to abandon the oilfields and fall back on Mandalay, the military spokesman at Chungking states. Units of the regular United States Air Force have joined the volunteers defending Mandalay. The Scripps Howard press commentator, in a rndio message- to New York from Chungking, says that even the American volunteer group is now suffering from a shortage of aeroplanes. This situation must be overcome in the next few weeks if Burma is to be held. Two strong columns of Japanese in lorries, supported by tanks, are racing northward toward the Burmese oilfields, and already have reached the outer fringe of the oil-bearing area. The Daily Herald's correspondent in Burma says: "If the large air reinforcements promised weeks ago by the spokesman at New Delhi are not here swiftly the consequences will be woeful. If our forces are given air support now they can win this battle. While we wait, caravans of homeless people continue to move from the blitzed towns, adding to the large moving population and the problem of the roads. "A Japanese onslaught is in the air. Defeat that, and I am satisfied that the military position can be turned to our advantage and the battle for Burma won."

JAPANESE LANDING ADMIRALTY ISLANDS GROUP (,Recd. 1.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 8 The Japanese have occupied the largest island in the Admiralty Islands group, north of New Guinea. Before the occupation the scorched earth policy we.s applied, the aerodromo and anything of use to the enemy being put out of action. BOMBING OF LUBECK TOWN BADLY BATTERED (<Kccd. 1.40 a.m.) ZURICH, April 8 It is reported from Lubeck that the main streets and the chief buildings of the town were so battered in the Royal Air Force raid on March 28 that the town will require to be rebuilt.