BURMA SUCCESS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22354, 22 May 1944, Page 4

BURMA SUCCESS

ALLIES ITS' MYITKYINA GLIDERS BRING TROOPS ENEMY FACES ISOLATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL copyright) LONDON, May 21 Chinese and American troops in Northern Burma, with air support, ha\*e captured about a third of Myitkyina, including the railway station. Admiral Mountbatten’s communique says the Japanese garrison at Myitkyina is now completely isolated except for one road, and this is being constantly attacked from the air. Troop-carriers are gliding into the Myitkyina airfield at intervals of 15 to 20 minutes, bringing in reinforcements 'to the Chinese and American forces besieging Myitkyina, says Reuter’s correspondent at the airfield. The troops immediately on landing form up and march direct to the fighting front The Japanese have made another attempt to drive the Chindits from the road block they have established on the main supply line to Myitkyina. For 11 hours the Chindits fought off strong Japanese forces and inflicted heavy casualties on them. An early communique says a column of General Merrill's “Marauders" occupied the village of Nawraw Sakan and threw a road block across the Mo-gaung-Myitkyina road. Chinese troops in Yunnan Province have advanced further through the mountains west of the Salween river toward the Burma border. The latest Chinese communique says they have taken another place near the strategic Mamienkuan Pass north of the Burma Road and have also gained ground south of the road. The Japanese are putting up fierce resistance in the central sector. Capture of Railway Station The railway station in the northeast part of Myitkyina changed hands five times before the Chinese finally seized it, cables Reuter’s correspondent from the Myitkyina airfield. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The railway station had been converted into a strongly barricaded fort. Chinese forces under a veteran colonel of the Shanghai Fighting Force fought grimly all Friday night until they overran it yesterday. Allied warplanes yesterday frustrated a fresh Japanese attempt to sneak out of Myitkyina by crossing the Irrawaddy river. Warhawks spotted 12 boats, each carrying 20 Japanese troops, preparing to cross. The Warhawks swooped down and sank every boat.