SHATTERED RANGOON

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 9

SHATTERED RANGOON

DECOMPOSING FOOD STORES JAPANESE LURKING IN CITY (R.N.Z.A.F. Official New* Service) RANGOON, May 22 Rangoon presents a desolate sight to the British troops .now reoccupving the city. Many of its handsome ■ buildings and homes have been shattered, and its wide streets have been badly cratered. The evacuating: Japanese took with them everything they could move, including furniture. Heavy damage was caused by British bombers in the final assault on the town, and the dockyards have been entirely destroyed. Mountains of rotting rice stored by the Japanese have been disclosed in this area. Flour, salt and other commodities are also decomposing in wrecked stores. Handfuls of Japanese money can be gathered up in the streets. Before the British re-entered the city the inhabitants blasted open a .Japanese bank and looted its strongrooms and vaults. Ten thousand Japanese rupees will now buy only a cake of soap. Large numbers of Japanese are still lurking in the citv, many of them wearing the saffron roWs of holy men. There have been clashes between Burmese and Indians, and Dacoits have been active. The lighting, water and sanitary systems have been destroyed. The only Europeans found in the city by the British troops were Catholic nuns and priest*. The fate of Allied civilians taken prisoner when the city fell is unknown. The renowned golden pagoda and the Catholic cathedral are practically undamaged. An Ii.A.F. Spitfire squadron operating from tTie Mingaldon airfield includes a number of New Zealanders. Many New Zealand airmen who were stationed at this point early in 1942 will recall the desperate days when they were always outnumberod by better eouipped Japanese. Among the "Kiwis of the first British squadron to return to this airfield after an absence of more than three years are Warrant-Officer H. Truster, of Auckland, and Flight-Sergeant R. Lawlor, of Palmerston. North.

EMPIRE DAY ALBERT PARK CEREMONY The sixth wartime Empire Day was celebrated at a simple ceremony at the Queen Victoria statue in Albert Park at noon yesterday. Among those present were the Mayor, Mr J. A. C. Allum, the town clerk. Mr T. W. M. Ashby, Mr E. Earle Vaile, chairman of the Central Committee of the Auckland patriotic societies, and Colonel C. A. Herman, representing the Army authorities. An Empire Day message from Earl Gowrie, V.C., president of the Empire Dav movement, was read by Mr N. R. W. Thomas. Addressing the gathering, Mr Alluro recalled the time when the Empire stood alone and also the fortitude and courage shown by be people of England. He was convinced, he said, that the Empire had never been stronger than it was today. Mr Vaile also spoke. Wreaths were laid at the foot of the statue by Mr Allum and Mr Ashbv and hy representatives of the Victoria League, the Royal Empire Societv, the Royal Society of St. George and the Auckland British-Israel Association.