DRIVE EXPECTED SOON

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 20, 19 October 1942, Page 6

DRIVE EXPECTED SOON

Linking India With China LONDON, October 16. The Allies clearly intend to open a second front against Japan from India soon, says Reuter’s Delhi correspondent. A four-day tour of India’s northeast defences by General Wavell, during which he crossed into Burma, indicates this, the correspondent isays. The fact that there will be a drive to link up India with China is encouraging to both countries. . . ; ■ While, in. Burma, ■. General Wavell closely questioned officers who, for many weeks, had been scouting in ones and twos far into Burma. He spent many hours with these officers, pouring over detailed maps and listening to information which they had collected by using new. and little-known routes n cross nortli-jwest Burma. He ordered their reconnaissance to be extended. When General Wavell appeared in Burma the news spread, quickly. Local ■ Burmese chiefs appeared in full procession, complete i with .elephants, to pay their , respects. General • Wavell ~ assured them that everything,'was., being ’done for them’ as scon, ns ‘possible. • The Associated Press correspondent at

Delhi says that the circumstances of I General Wavell’s tour are interpreted as heralding an offensive to retake Burma. The Allied forces in the Burma frontier region have been restless for weeks, but the monsoon has now ended, and flying weather returned. General Wavell’s message to the troops, according to reliable information, was: “We'are going forward.” Berlin radio quoted a statement in Japanese “Hochi Shimbun” that the Burmese army was being increased tenf.ild. Recruits, under a new scheme, are being called up at the end of the year.