INVASION OF BURMA

Southland Times, Issue 24651, 24 January 1942, Page 5

INVASION OF BURMA

FRESH THRUSTS EXPECTED BRITISH STAND AT MOULMEIN LONDON, January 21. While it is officially stated in Rangoon “that new Japanese thrusts into Burma are expected almost certainly within the next 10 days,” a correspondent reports that preparations are being made for a British stand at Moulmein. Besides Thai troops in the Miyawaddy area Thailanders are engaged in South Burma and other parts of the frpntier. A Burmese official said: “If Thailanders are allowing the Army to attack Burma in addition to leasing territory to Japan it is time we ceased to entertain hope of finding honour in Thailand. Thailand’s co-operation with the Japanese forces has caused widespread anger.” 1 A Rangoon communique states that effectively supported by the Royal Air Force our troops have given a good account of themselves in the Kawkareik area, causing the enemy heavy casualties and stopping him wherever they have met him. Additional Chinese reinforcements have joined the British defenders in Burma. The Berlin radio quoted a Tokyo claim that the Japanese forces had crossed the Salween River on the Burma-Thai border, thus creating a third front and aiming to cut the Burma road. The Japanese, Berlin declared, were now threatening Moulmein from three sides. Chinese bombers dropped 20 tons of explosives on a Japanese air base in Indo-China, causing heavy damage. All the planes returned safely. THE PHILIPPINES A United States War Department communique from Washington states: “In the Philippines theatre the Japanese are renewing their attacks all along General MacArthur’s line. Particularly heavy fighting is in progress on the left and on the centre. Enemy reinforcements are now being landed at Langayen Gulf. The entire Japanese 14th Army, with a number of other units, is now in Luzon. Air activity in Luzon has been light during the past 24 hours.” BATAVIA COMMUNIQUE

A Batavia communique says slight enemy air activity was observed over many points of the outer possessions, combined with bombarding and ma-chine-gunning which caused little , damage. Celawan and Deli were again bombed this morning. An enemy plane bombed ships off the coast of North Sumatra.

It is authoritatively stated in Batavia that all (the oil installations and oil wells at Balik Papan have already been destroyed, it being obvious that the enemy’s intention is to attack Balik Papan with superior forces and to take possession of important oil wells.