BURMA ADVANCES

Waikato Times, Volume 196, Issue 22568, 23 March 1945, Page 4

BURMA ADVANCES

OPERATION FROM MEIKTILA COLOMBO, March 22 The recapture of Mandalay has been followed by further advances on several parts of the Burmese front, the South-east Asia Headquarters communique states. An armoured column, operating from Meiktila, in three days killed more than 300 Japanese. Elsewhere our troops have made satisfactory progress. Troops*, of the British 36th Division have consolidated in Mogok and made further progress. Chinese troops cleared the road from Hsipaw to Namhsin, eight miles south-west of Hsipaw. West African troops have captured Letmauk, 36 miles south-east of Akyab, in the face of opposition. * LORD LOVATTS HOPE RUSSIANS TO BERLIN FIRST LONDON, March 21 Britain's tough, dashing 33-year-old commando leader, Lord Lovat, wants the Russians to get into Berlin first. Lord Lovat, who is returning to England after a visit to the United States, said: “I believe the Russians will get to Berlin first and I hope they do.

‘‘The Russians have suffered terribly from the Germans and they will not be as good-natured as we would when they get there. Unfortunately, we have a habit of becoming kind-hearted when we hear a hard luck story.”

Lord Lovat said he did not think it would be necessary for the Allies to fight village for village through Germany. He expected a civilian collapse first. Wounded six days after D Day. Lord Lovat expects to return to action.