PLANES ACTIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24251, 17 April 1942, Page 5

PLANES ACTIVE

BRITISH AND AMERICAN ATTACKS ON TROOPS ARMY COMMAND QUESTION LONDON, April 15 During the past three days the jloyal Air Force has been active over Burma and the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal. Aircraft operating in close support of the land operations on the Irrawaddy front bombed and machinegunned enemy troop concentrations and successfully attacked river craft carrying enemy troops, many of whom dived oVerboard. American volunteer group fighters attacked enemy aircraft dispersed on the Toungoo aerodrome on April 12. Three Japanese bombers were destroyed, with no loss to the Americans. The same day R.A.F. Blenheim bombers were engaged in close support of the army. Attacking Japanese forces in a village north of Prome were heavily bombed. A Chungking message states that lack of co-ordination among the Allies in Burma continues, with the question of unified command apparently unsettled. More than once a precipitous Allied withdrawal in one sector seriously exposed the flank of other forces. Moreover, there had been a singular lack ..of any attempt by one Allied force to counter-attack for the relief of enemyt'pressure.. in some -other sector. INDIA DISCUSSIONS NATIONALIST ALLEGATIONS SIR S. CRIPPS OVER-RULED LONDON, April 15 Indian nationalist newspapers now »ay that during the negotiations in India, Sir Stafford Cripps was overruled by the British War Cabinet. This, it is alleged, resulted in Sir Stafford's earlier liberal outlook being changed suddenly into opposition to granting further concessions to the Congress Party. . Reporting this new recriminatory note in the Indian controversy, the Delhi correspondent of the Times adds: "But another note had also emerged—a new awareness of the international menace and a growing realisation of the dangers of the Japanese threat. There is general distress that a final solution was not obtained, because there is a new appreciation of the need for it." Competent observers express the belief that, with a little patience, later efforts may bring about better results. A British official wireless message «tates that Sir, Stafford Cripps, while in Cairo on his way home, had an interview lasting three-quarters of an hour with the Prime Minister of Egypt, Nahas Pasha. Speaking to journalists later, Sir Stafford said that, although he had not fulfilled his mission to India, he had, nevertheless, strengthened the friendly relations. Sir Stafford said he had sent a report of his mission to the Cabinet and would make a statement to the House of Commons when he reached England. MALTA HITTING BACK GERMAN PILOT'S TRIBUTE ENEMY CHANGES TACTICS LONDON, April 15 Cloudy- weather protected Malta from more heavy raids yesterday. Enemy fighters crossed the coast from time to time, but little civilian damage was done and there Were, no casualties. Nine enemy aeroplanes were deitroyed over the island in Tuesday's f raids and another eight were damaged. A German fighter pilot has paid a new tribute to the defenders of Malta. He said: "The only way to get Malta down is to sink it." This was quoted ;by Sir Walter Monckton, actingMinister of State in Cairo, who spoke to the German recently in Malta, where the pilot was a prisoner after being shot down. "Malta is getting a packet, but is hitting back continuously," added Sir Walter. "Our defences have forced the Germans to change their tactics. Formerly tbev raided all day and all night. Wt that'was too expensive, so they now concentrate on one or two big blitzes. .. "We have undoubtedly got our tails up. The Maltese are first-class. They *fork on the aerodromes during the raids, and it is no .small job filling up five or six bomb craters between dusk and dawn so that aircraft can use the landing ground. , "The Germans carry out the clay bomhing, and Italians come at nignt. but they often turn back after sighting the island." LONDON'S DEFENCES Home guard as gunners ffiecd. 8.40 p.m.) LONDON. April 15 Home Guard units are being formed ; to take over some of London's antiaircraft defences. Twelve sites are to be banned and some personnel are already ; training. The scheme is not confined to London, but will probably affect the . whole country in due course. . Compulsory powers for enlistment in Home Guard are just about to be Put into force in the London area and jf necessary will apply to anti-aircraft battalions.