DEFENCE OF BURMA

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21690, 28 March 1942, Page 5

DEFENCE OF BURMA

CHINESE TROOPS REINFORCED REPEATED JAPANESE ASSAULTS THROWN BACK CONTINUOUS BOMBING RAIDS IN THE PHILIPPINES LONDON, March 27 The Chinese troops defending Toungoo, in Burma, who have thrown back repeated Japanese assaults, have been reinforced, says a Chungking communique. The Japanese have been throwing in all their air strength on this sector, but have not shifted the Chinese. In the Irrawaddy valley the Japanese still seem to be advancing slowly and have not yet been opposed in any strength. In the Philippines the fortress of Corrigedor has been subjected to further continuous bombing raids, but little military damage has been done.

SERIOUS SITUATION

CAMPAIGN IN BURMA ATTACKS BY JAPANESE (Official Wireless) (Received March 28, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 27 A Japanese attack on Burma is being made up the road to Toungoo, on the Sittang River, and the situation obviously is serious, with some Chinese forces surrounded by the Japanese. Military observers in London, however, point out that the Japanese forces in the north are also to some extent surrounded by the Chinese, and the issue rather depends on the size of the forces and the relative speed with which the Japanese and Chinese can bring up reinforcements. The attack on the Toungoo road is accompanied by a secondary attack up the Prome road, either in boats on the Irrawaddy or on the riverbanks or both. A Burma communique on which this analysis is based states: No reports have yet been received from the Irrawaddy front of contacts with the enemy columns mentioned in yesterday’s communique. On the main road there has been no contact north of Okpo (50 miles south of Prome). Enemy aircraft has been active in the river area. A town was bombed on March 24 and some shipping was hit. Our anti-aircraft defence reacted vigorously and claimed two hits. The Chinese Expeditionary Force is still withstanding severe enemy pressure around Toungoo, particularly from the north-west. Enemy bombing continued all day in flights of 10 planes north of the town. The Japanese leading columns are still at Kyungon. Air reconnaissance reports the existence of a small enemy naval force of one cruiser and a few destroyers operating in the vicinity of Burma. The Burmese Auxiliary Force (Home Guard) anti-aircraft station brought down one fighter and one bomber. Japanese Force Wiped Out It is officially announced that Chinese troops, after a night of bitter fighting, have recaptured an aerodrome north of Toungoo and wiped out an entire Japanese unit at an airfield which the Japanese occupied on Wednesday. The Chinese forces in Burma are offering tremendous resistance in the Toungoo area. The enemy has been attacking the town from all sides, but has been thrown back time after time. The Chinese commander has described the situation as well in hand, although Toungoo is surrounded. The Chinese defences are in depth, and although the Japanese have been attacking for 36 hours they have so far failed to penetrate the outer line. A Chinese spokesman stated that in the Toungoo area the Chinese and the Japanese forces are about equal in strength, but the Japanese have a larger air force. Three separate and well-defined fronts are emerging in Burma, says the correspondent of the Daily Mail at Maymyo. First there is the longest front from a point north of Toungoo running many miles east along the frontiers of the southern Shan States and Siam, which Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s veteran troops are holding. The second line lies in front of and north-east of Toungoo. A smaller British and Chinese force is established there, defending the road to Mandalay. They are expected to take the full impact of the big Japanese thrust developing against it. In the third position the British hold a front 40 miles south of Prome on the Irrawaddy River covering Prome and the road north to the oilfields. A strong Japanese column is advancing from Rangoon against the British position. A mountain range between the Prome and Mandalay roads safeguards the British left flank and the Anglo-Chinese right flanks at Toungoo. • General Stillwell’s Plans General Stillwell, who has returned from the Toungoo front, told reporters that he was “scratching around trying to establish headquarters” and also relieve some of the load from the British and help the Chinese. He added that Burma was most difficult country, but “all creak along by one wheel, anyway, and the Chinese and British are most co-operative.” The general also repeatedly expressed the highest regard for the fighting spirit of the Chinese, who were disciplined and skilled but still j lacked supply. General Stillwell, at his first press j conference at Chinese headquarters in Burma, forecast severe fighting near Toungoo, where the Chinese are dug in. The Japanese mean business. They have been bringing up reinforcements and better types of aeroplanes. He described the Japanese as Tiffing in the middle of a circle with the Allies’ positions in the arc. The troops would be greatly heartened if adequate air support were forthcoming. Lieutenant-General Stillwell expressed the opinion that the Allied position in this respect would be much improved before many weeks. Supply problems were difficult owing to the loss of Rangoon, but were being overcome. It was hoped to build up an American supply organisation covering not only Burma, but India and China. The situation on the Shan-Thai-land frontier is quiet. The enemy concentration in the north-west of Thailand is composed largely of Thais, who have no heart for war.

BOMBERS ACTIVE

FIGHTING IN PHILIPPINES SHARP PATROL CLASHES (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 28, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 27 A communique states: During the past 24 hours enemy bombers have made seven successive attacks h>h Corregidor. On March 26 the fortified highland was bombed almost continuously from early morning until midnight. A short lull occurred about sunset. The raids in the afternoon and at night decreased in intensity. Most of the bombs fell in the bay. Those striking the island did little damage. Our anti-aircraft fire is believed to have hit several enemy planes. Early today aerial attacks on our fortifications were resumed. In Batan a number of sharp clashes occurred betv/een patrols. Troop and truck movement behind the enemy lines indicated that increased activity may be expected. One of cur patrols successfully raided a strong enemy position. Japanese dive-bombers attacked our rear areas unsuccessfully. AMERICAN FLIERS ATTACKS ON THAILAND (Official Wlreleas) (Received March 28, noon) RUGBY, March 27 American volunteer fliers struck 70 miles into Thailand today. Simultaneous raids against Japanese aerodromes in Chiengwai and Lampan destroyed over 10 enemy planes. GERMANS DISTURBED READJUSTMENT OF FORCES FIGHTING IN LIBYA (Official wireless} (Received March 28, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 27 A British communique issued at Cairo states: Our patrols have again been active in Libya. On the night of March 25 casualties were inflicted on the enemy in a fortified position at Halegh el Eleba, between Mechile and Tmimi, about 40 miles from the nearest point in our advanced positions. During an air raid on Tobruk yesterday two German planes were damaged by anti-aircraft fire and one of them was later seen to crash into the sea. An Italian aircraft was shot down by one of our patrols. It is stated in London that there appears to have been a certain amount of readjustment and redistribution among the enemy’s forces in Libya. This probably accounts for the reference in yesterday’s communique to considerable enemy mechanised transport movements. It does not appear that these movements presage any large-scale attack but rather that the enemy had been disturbed by the recent success of British raids and has decided that certain readjustments in his forces are necessary. FRENCH PARATROOPS WORK IN MIDDLE EAST (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tei. Copyright) LONDON, March 26 Free French Headquarters state that for some months French parachute troops have been helping in the instruction of various parachute units which were recently formed in the Middle East. Most French parachutists were trained in Britain be- ; fore being sent to the East. They ; are all tough men who had to undergo very hard tests before being passed fit for their operations. They are taught to use weapons and undergo a course in demolition. They have to know there is a right and a wrong way to destroy a bridge, airfield, radio station or defensive outpost. GERMAN RAIDERS BRITAIN AND SCOTLAND ,j (Omcial Wireless) '}• (Received March 28, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 27 An official communique states: ‘ Early last night a number of enemy ! aircraft dropped bombs on a few j places in the north -east oi England, at one of which some damage was I caused, also one slight casualty. Bombs were also dropped at two points in the south-east of Scotland, but caused neither damage nor casualties. ARMED TRAWLER SUNK BRITISH GUNBOATS’ SUCCESS (omcial WlrplPSS) (Received March 28, 11.30 a.m.) , RUGBY, March 27 ' The sinking of an enemy armed trawler by British motor gunboat* is announced in an Admiralty communique which states: Early thi* morning three of our motor gunboat* encountered a German armed trawler in the North Sea. They at once engaged the enemy trawler, which was left in flames and sinking. Our 1 motor gi .lboats suffered no <-»y»t----ties or damage.