BRITISH TANKS IN ACTION

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22215, 7 March 1942, Page 5

BRITISH TANKS IN ACTION

Japanese Sailer Heavy Losses Battle For RangoonLashio Railway By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (1 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 6. British tanks have been in action against the Japanese in the neighbourhood of Pegu where fierce fighting is in progress. The position of the garrison at Rangoon has not deteriorated but the threat to the city remains. According to an official message from Mandalay the British tank forces supporting the infantry inflicted terrible losses on the Japanese during a sanguinary battle for the RangoonLashio railway. It was the first tank attack of the campaign. The Dome! News Agency claims that the Japanese have captured Mingaladon aerodrome north of Rangoon and are making smashing headway along the Sittang River. One Japanese spearhead has pushed well past Pegu and the Japanese have cut the RangoonLashio railway in several places. Heavy fighting is going on in the Tuongoo area. British troops have taken up positions along the Irrawaddy. According to the Rome radio the Japanese claim that they have captured Rangoon. A Rangoon communique received early to-day states: On the Sittang front there is little change. On Wednesday our troops attacked a village area and captured a number of 77millimetre guns and 5-inch mortars. Considerable casualties were inflicted on the enemy. Our troops broke up Japanese supply transports. Patrol action continued throughout the night. The R.A.F. carried out reconnaissance and patrol work. A small patrol of R.A.F. fighters encountered a large formation of Japanese aircraft. In spite of its numerical superiority the Japanese formation was broken up. One Japanese bomber was shot down. Our losses were nil. In Rangoon life goes on quietly, but reports are still coming to hand of brutality and lawlessness in outlying areas.