BATTLE OF BURMA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 94, 23 April 1942, Page 5

BATTLE OF BURMA

GUERRILLA BANDS USED COUNTRY IMPERILLED BY RED TAPE LACK OF CO-ORDINATION (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Recd. 7.5 p.m.) London, April 21. The British have organised bow and arrow guerrilla bands in the Shan States, reports the Burma correspondent of the Daily Herald. This kind of jungle warfare is much more formidable than it sounds. Greater use is being made of the large, unorganised native material available in the country. Red tape in Burma, however, is imperilling the country. The army has to consult the civil Government on almost every problem. The position is serious enough to warrant the military taking over complete control of the country. Lack of co-ordination between all branches of the war effort is also a matter for concern. Army, Air Force, Government and the emergency services have not yet been merged into a coherent whole. Even co-ordination with the Chinese is hindered by the shortage of interpreters on both sides. If air support arrives quickly the Allies can still make Burma the turning point in the Far East. CHINESE MORALE HIGH DISUNITY REPORTS DENIED (Recd. 8 p.m.) Chungking. April 21. i A Chinese Army spokesman said: | “Furious fighting in Burma has not ■ abated, but the morale of the Chines*? forces, who fought. for a monch under glaring inferiority, is very high. ’ The spokesman described Yenanyaung as one of the bloodiest battles in Burma. He denied reports of disunity and asserted that the Allies in Burma are under unified command. The British are still in charge and exercise command over the Burma area.