NORTHERN BURMA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 127, 30 May 1944, Page 5

NORTHERN BURMA

BATTLE FOR MYITKYINA RAIN HAMPERING ALLIES IN KOHIMA REGION. (11 p.m.) London, May 29. General Stilwell's Chinese and American forces are reported to have entered the outskirts of th e Japanese Stronghold of Myitkyina, in northern Burma. On Thursday night the enemy launched a determined attack agacnst Nga village, north of Kohima. which was supported by a considerable weight of artillery and mortar fire, says a communique. Owing to goon fire and discipline by our troops, the enemy suffered heavy casualties without penetrating our defences, and at daybreak broke off -the action. At dawn on Sunday our troops atta. Ked the enemy’s strong positions on Aradura spur, covering the Tiddim Road south of Kohima. Heavy rain hampered the operations from the start, but they are continuing. On Friday our troops took an enemy position south of Moirang, capturing equipment which included one field gun, a large quantity of ammunition and motor transpor.. In subsequent courier-attacks casualties on both sides were heavy. The position icmained in our hands, with two ’enemy tankettes knocked out. North of Eishenpur the enemy made repeated unsuccessful attempts to re- <• ipture positions overlooking the plains which our troops recently wen. On tho Paif’-Tamu Road we repulsed a ■ mail attack. There is little change in west Yunnan, due to continuous rain. General Stilwell's Chinese and American troops have penetrated Myitkyina in the south-west sector and another unit is advancing from the south-east. Japanese counter-attacks from the west have suffered heavily. The Chinese have made further progress in the northern Mogaung Valley, but Chindits have abandoned road and rail blocks south-west of Mogaung after hca v y fig hl ing.