BATTLE FOR BURMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24855, 3 March 1942, Page 5

BATTLE FOR BURMA

GREATER ENEMY ACTIVITY FIERCE FIGHTING REPORTED NATIVES ASSIST JAPANESE / (Rec. U p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 2. Messages from Burma report increased enemy activity, with particularly fierce figjiting in several places. The flat rice fields are the scene of bitter struggles. Another message says that the Japanese success in cutting the railway leading to the Burma road north of Pegu was temporary. The Japanese in a surprise attack overcame a British patrol, but were soon mopped up. A Rangoon communique, giving the position up to Friday, said: “ On February 25 more of our troops crossed the Sittang and are reorganising after fierce fighting. A military Government has been imposed on Rangoon and the curfew put into operation. Up to February 27 no further contact was made with the enemy. Reports indicate that he is attempting to work northward. The enemy troops employed in the fighting on the Sittang River were picked troops of excellent physique. “ In raids over Rangoon on February 26 the enemy lost 22 aircraft. Our losses were one aircraft. During raids over the period February 25-26 the total enemy losses were 51 to our two aircraft.” , Despatches from the American volunteer air group in south-west China state: “Authoritative militarists! believe that Rangoon’s fall is a matter of hours. The same sources thought that the Japanese did not intend to attack Northern Burma after taking Rangoon, but would concentrate on India. It is announced that the A.V.p. shot down over 80 Japanese planes and simultaneously continued strafing and demoralising attacks on ground forces. “One.A.V.G. pilot, after a visit to four large Burmese towns. *said the natives in many districts rebelled and killed unarmed Britons. He quoted the Burmese as assisting the Japanese in every way possible, and said the British were evacuating all large towns, including Mandalay.”