POSITION VERY SERIOUS

Southland Times, Issue 24682, 2 March 1942, Page 5

POSITION VERY SERIOUS

JAPANESE BID FOR RANGOON ENEMY FORCES CROSS SITTANG (8.0.W.) RUGBY, February 28. All that can be said of the military situation at Rangoon is that it is very serious. The Japanese, according to reports from Burma, have cut the road and railway to the west of the Sittang river, and there is no reason to disbelieve this. It is stated authoritatively in London that such an operation, possibly in the Shwegyin area north of Pegu, would, of course, imply that the Japanese forces have crossed the Sittang. Apart' from this, the situation on the Sittang appears to be that the British forces are now withdrawing in certain numbers—more than at first was expected—to the west bank where they face strong Japanese concentrations. Japanese losses here are believed to be about 2000 killed and wounded. Heavy pressure by the Japanese has caused a further withdrawal of the British forces across the Sittang river in order to make the British line more

secure, states a communique from Rangoon. Since the military authorities took over control of Rangoon the shooting of looters and incendiaries has had a great effect. Japanese planes have raided Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Three planes last Tuesday bombed the aerodrome and machine-gunned the ground staff. There were no military casualties but two civilians were killed and five wounded. Three planes dropped 12 bombs the following day. causing slight damage but no casualties. MORE OPEN FIGHTING The Rangoon correspondent of The Sunday Times says the Japanese in Burma must henceforth fight more in the open than hitherto, which will probably be to the Allies’ advantage. Jungle warfare is almost finished. The Japanese are more skilful in the jungle. They are lightly equipped, but deploying at least two divisions they move very fast and possess considerable infiltration ability. It is officially reported that United States volunteer flyers protecting Rangoon shot down at least 47, possibly 54, Japanese planes on Wednesday and Thursday.