BROUGHT TO AN END

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 6

BROUGHT TO AN END

BATTLE FOR KOHIMA RIDGES FORMIDABLE TERRAIN KANDY, June 13. “The withdrawal by . the Japanese from positions commanding Naga village, in the Kohima' area, brings to a conclusion the two months’ battle for the domination of the Kohima ridges and resolves the issue which is' of vital importance to operations in the whole eastern theatre,” said an official spokesman of the South-east Asia Command. “It has been no easy victory, and our casualties have not been light. The enemy has shown himself to be a tough and skilful fighter. Victory is sealed by our complete occupation of the Aradura Spur, a 6000-foot hill commanding the Manipur road, six miles south of Naga village, as well as the north-easterly prolongation. “The formidable nature of the terrain has been one of the features of the campaign. The battles have been fought at a height of 5000 feet, often in thickest jungle. The troops struggled up from nullahs 2000 feet below, loaded with equipment, in face of small arms, grenades, and mortar fire.” The Allies captured several Japanese strongpoints at Myitkyina, and advanced 350 yards against strong resistance. The railway was cut north-east of the town, but heavy fighting lies ahead before the Japanese are dislodged from what are obviously very strong positions, says the Australian Associated Press correspondent at South-east Asia Command headquarters. The action, which recovered an important hill position, cost the Japanese at least 190 lives. A company, of Gurkhas, supported by tanks, stormed and captured the hill. In the last seven days General Stilwell’s troops have had hard hand-to-hand fighting against the Japanese at Myitkyina and Kamaing. The south airfield at Myitkyina had already been captured, and part of thfc northern airfield is now in the possession of American and Chinese troops.' Chinese troops in the Mogaung Wiley have advanced further, and occupied places east and west of Kamaing. They have also tightened their hold on the KamaingMogaung road. Airborne troops to the south are continuing to press forward south of Mogaung, and have also attacked the south-east outskirts of Myitkyina. The Japanese are. showing some disorganisation in this area. They have left a good deal of equipment behind in the Kamaing sector. . The Japanese have been forced, to admit defeat in the Kohima area, and have been driven south and east of the town. Small pockets of resistance are still in the vicinity of Kohima to the south and south-east, but our troops are steadily cleaning them up. Though the enemy still is not defeated on the whole Manipur front; fighting in the vicinity of Bishenpore, Palel, and other areas is- proceeding satisfactorily. The eastern air command flew an average of 450 sorties a day despite monsoon conditions. In six days Troop Carrier Command flew 1416 sorties. Enemy air activity was very slight indeed, particularly in regard to medium bombers.

The advance to Myitkyina has considerably shortened the length of the air ferry route to China, and also reduced the likelihood of fighter, aircraft flying over it being attacked by enemy fighters.