MORE TRANSPORTS OFF BURMA

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22204, 23 February 1942, Page 5

MORE TRANSPORTS OFF BURMA

Main British Positions Intact Heavy Air Offensive By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 22. Newspaper dispatches from Kunming- report that a large number of Japanese warships and transports have been sighted oil the coast of Burma. The enemy fleet was reported to be approaching a flat, sandy, undefended part of the coast. The Rangoon radio stated that the Allied Air Forces throughout the day strongly took the offensive against Japanese positions. They continually straffed Japanese infantry, causing heavy casualties and also started many fires. The Allied planes without loss shot down three fighters and damaged others.

According to a message from Chungking Chinese and Allied troops repulsed a Japanese attack near Mongyin, northeast Burma. The Japanese attempted to cross the river west of Chiengsen but were thrown backAuthoritative reports from Burma indicate that fierce fighting has continued in the Bilin river position in the last two or three days and two British counter-attacks have been successful, although there naturally have been heavy casualties on both sides. A Rangoon communique savs: After our withdrawal behind the Bilin river the enemy first crossed the river to the west bank northwards of Bilin and subjected our forward brigades to a heavy attack. We launched a counter-attack. The enemy continually tried to envelop our left flank while increasing his pressure on the right. Our main positions have been left intact by means of constant counterattacks.