FRUITS OF VICTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 5

FRUITS OF VICTORY

MOUNTBATTEN’S THANKS (Rec. 9 p.m.) RUGBY. Mar. 20. Admiral Lord Louis Montbatten, addressing his troops, said the capture of Mandalay, which the Japanese had announced would be defended with the utmost vigour, proclaimed to the Japanese people, as well as to the rest of the world, what progress they were making in the liberation of Burma. “ Your earlier victories at Arakan. Kohima, and Imphal turned the tide of war and now you are reaping the fruits of those victories.

“ In many places the Japanese Army has withdrawn rather than take you on over what—as we all know—was its own chosen .fighting ground, but here the army has stood up to you—at hi s vital strategic points, and the fighting has been tough, grim and bloody. This fighting not only cost him very heavy casualties, but compelled him to make a lengthy withdrawal in desperate efforts to disengage his remaining forces. You have fought through the monsoon, giving the Japanese no chance to reorganise. You have fought, marched or flown over some of the most difficult country in the world —parts of which before this war were visited only by the most intrepid explorers. The recent crossing of the Irrawaddy alone, at points where it is six times as wide as the Thames at Waterloo Bridge, is an epic achievement and it is only one of many.” ' .

Lord Louis Mountbatten paid a tribute to the air forces and added that he looked forward with confidence to even greater victories.