FIGHTING IN BURMA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 65, 18 March 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING IN BURMA

BRITISH COUNTER-MOVE SHWEGYIN RETAKEN (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) London, March 16. A Mandalay message reports that the British have retaken Shwegyin, ; north-east of Rangoon. i An Indian sergeant, disguised as a I coolie, penetrated the Japanese line at Shwegyin and brought back details ' of the enemy’s strength and disposi- ; tion, paving the way for the capture of the town. | The British and Imperial forces j which counter-attacked recrossed the I Sittang River and recaptured the j town after a fierce house-to-house : fight, in which Indian troops used . bayonets and kris effectively. * At first the Imperial troops attempted a surprise by rafting down : the river on the north side of the town, but were delayed when a trait- • orous Burmese gave the alarm. j The Imperial troops then met and ‘ dispersed 500 Japanese outside the j town before joining action against the I main enemy force. GENERAL LINE INDICATED Rugby, March 16. i The general disposition of the opposing forces is that the Japanese are in occupation of the southern part iof the Irrawaddy delta, with the ■ British forces to the north and northleast, roughly on a line from Thara- ■ waddy to Shwegyin. The Chinese are northwards of the British and moving toward Toungoo.—B.O.W.