BURMA’S DEMAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 61, 13 March 1942, Page 5

BURMA’S DEMAND

REINFORCEMENTS WARTED HOPE OF CHINESE HELP (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Recd. 7.15.) London, March 11. “Burma wants reinforcements, and unless the demand is soon / answered the British forces there will be placed in a difficult position before the tide turns,” says the Mandalay corespondent of the British United Press. It is known that large Japanese concentrations still in north Thailand are concentrated at Chiengmai. British forces are taking up new position* in the southerly area of central Burma. The right flank, resting on Rangoon is now swinging north, leaving the enemy the entire Irrawaddy delta, but as the Japanese press northwards the Chinese are expected to play an increased part. Chinese forces in the Shan States last month claimed to have made contact with enemy patrols on the Indo-China frontier, but there is no further news of activity there. The Shan States are vital as a buffer protecting the left flank now that Rangoon has gone. NEW BURMA ROAD WORK ON BRANCH ROUTE (Recd. 10.5 p.m.) London, March 12. The Mandalay correspondent of the Daily Express reveals that 100 000 coolies under Allied experts are building a branch route for the purnose of linking up half the Burma Road direct with India. The Japa-

nese captured only a small section of the Burma Road, most oi which lies in China. The rest ot the road can be used by shooting a branch westward to join the road and railway from Calcutta. The exact route of the new branch now being formed is a secret, but the effect will be to keep one supply line open through North Burma wniit the great highway through Assam is being constructed. Experts believe it oossible also to build a railway parallel with the new route within twelve months. American material for the Yunnan-Burma railroad is being switched to the India-Burma line, which the Chinese will build. RANGOON IN FLAMES London, March 11. Berlin radio, quoting Tokio, said that all Rangoon was burning and that the British had spared nothing from destruction, and removed everything movable.