Battle for Rangoon

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22202, 20 February 1942, Page 5

Battle for Rangoon

Japanese Progress at Heavy Cost Chinese Troops Invade Thailand By Telegraph—Press Association (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 18. THE BATTLE OF RANGOON has begun in * earnest, says the Rangoon correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” The invaders, in spite of severe losses, secured a foothold on the western bank of the Bilin River. The main battle line ends on the frontier east of Papun, about 100 miles south south-west of Mehawngsawn. The Japanese are now striking heavily in the region of the town of Bilin where the railway from Martaban to Rangoon approaches a gap in the Paunglaung mountains. They apparently aim to skirt the southern end of the mountains and possibly support a westward drive with landings from the sea, which will not enjoy the protection, of jungles and mangroves because the coast between the Bilin River and the Rangoon River is flat alluvial. Chinese troops who invaded Thailand from south Shan are stated to be making progress in the direction of Chiengmai. A heavy force of Royal Air Force bombers, escorted by Hurricanes raided Chiengmai, where Japanese parachutists and 1500 air-borne Thai troops are concentrated for a drive to central Burma. Fresh Chinese troops have poured into Burma, and it is stated that thousands more are on the way. All have had fighting experience against the Japanese. It is now known that on his way to India, .Marshal Chiang Kai-shek spent a short time in Burma discussing the final details of the arrival of Chinese troops.

The Japanese have started a fresh attack in an effort to reach the railway line north from Rangoon to Lashio, the terminus of the Burma Road to China. A communique from Army Headquarters states that yesterday the enemy attacked the left flank of the British forces on the Bilin River and hand-to-hand fighting followed. During the day fighting extended along the whole front. Some of the enemy succeeded in crossing the river in small forces, and fighting continued all last night. British troops are holding their positions and are fighting strongly. There appeared to be concentrations of enemy troops and air forces in the north, near the Indo-China frontier, and patrol activity is reported. The Bilin River is the general line which the British troops took up after their retirement from the Salween River. In some places it is only 30 miles from the vital railway. Thaton, from which the enemy has been receiving reinforcements, is less than halfway between Martaban and the Bilin River. Bombers Plaster Japanese Position The Japanese are increasing their pressure on the Bilin River near its mouth. British bombers are aiding the land troops in this sector by plastering the Japanese position. Pressure continues on other sections of the Bilin River front. The Japanese are using cyclists as scouts; They are disguised in Burmese clothes and move only nocturnally, following jungle tracks with fifth columnists or impressed Burmese as guides, or keep close to the wooded hills. These tactics have been most useful to the Japanese up to the present, but they now are entering more open country and, in the opinion of Reuter’s Rangoon correspondent, the Allied forces, without the hampering jungle and with local air superiority, should be able to bring immense firepower to bear on the enemy. The Rangoon correspondent of the Associated Press says the Japanese are

believed to be massing air strength at Mehawngsawn and Mesarieng in the same area, for an attempt to break through to Toungoo. The exodus of Rangoon’s population continues, the roads northward carrying processions of vehicles jammed with natives. Five thousand Indians are still encamped in one area of Rangoon hoping somehow for passage to India. Another 2000 are crowding the vast gardens of the ramshackle Chuitsong Palace awaiting transport. Efficient Chinese Troops An Indian Army observer in New Delhi states that the Chinese forces co-operating with the Imperial troops in Burma are some of the best material outside the divisions under Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s personal command. They are mostly from the hilly Hunan, Kwangsi and Kwangtung provinces, and have already adapted themselves to the mountainous Burmese terrain. Many of the Chinese have fought against the Japanese, and do not underrate them. Chinese troops in Burma were not put into action earlier because of food, water,, clothing and medical problems, said Major-General Denys, head of the British Military Mission to China, at Chungking. He added that the existence of two Allied armies talking different languages, eating different foods and using different arms, had created complicated problems and had caused delays, but these would soon be straightened out. A communique issued at Rangoon states: “Royal Indian Air Force fighter planes were in action over Burma for the first time as British patrols southwest of the Bilin line clashed with the Japanese moving up rapidly on a new attack on our positions. "The new Burma front is described as a series of strong points rather than a continuous line, enabling the defenders to draw the invaders into the open, where they cannot use infiltration tactics, and British artillery can be used more effectively.”