BRITISH LINES BROKEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22200, 18 February 1942, Page 5

BRITISH LINES BROKEN

ENEMY PROGRESS IN BURMA All-out Drive On Thaton By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 17. A Rangoon communiqye states:— Our troops have withdrawn from their positions in the Shwegun-bridge-Thaton area and are now occupying more concentrated positions on the line of the Bilin river. “Japanese motorised units, tanks, and infantry are pouring over the marshy ricenelds on the coast in an all-out drive to capture the key railway town of Thaton," states the Rangoon correspondent of the “Daily Express.” “If the Japanese capture Thaton they will cut railway communication between Rangoon and the Allied troops driven out of Martaban. “It is Officially admitted In Rangoon to-night that the British lines have been broken at several points. “While the American promise of reinforcements Is noted In Rangoon with satisfaction, there is a tendency to point out that Washington and London have only Just discovered the importance of the defence of Burma, whereas the Burmese have always suspected that the Japanese would be able to attack Burma, and they have hot made the mistake of underestimating their strength. “The Burmese press has criticised Army communiques which cloak the Operations in obscure language." To-night's Rangoon communique reports that the British forces have retired to more concentrated positions. The right flank is now 40 mites north Of Moulmein. The enemv’s forward positions were raided in the morning by Roval Air Force bombers, escorted by fighters, and in the afternoon positions in the Faan area were raided.