RECAPTURE OF BURMA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 5

RECAPTURE OF BURMA

PLANNED BY ALLIES TOUR BY GENERAL WAVELL London, Oct. 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 north-east defences by General Wavell, during which he crossed into Burma, indidates this, the correspondent says. The fact that there wili 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, poring over detailed maps and listening to information which they had collected by using new and little-known routes across north-west 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 with elephants, to pay their respects. “WE ARE GOING FORWARD” General Wavell assured them that everything was being done for them as soon as possible. The Associated Press correspondent at Delhi says that the circumstances of General Waveil’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. 3 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 tenfold. Recruits, under a new scheme, are being called up at the end of the year. Paris radio declared that all the information available points to the United Nations being on the eve of opening a second front in Africa. The immense riches of the Belgian Congo were at stake, also the French North African colonial empire. General Smuts’s visit to London has some bearing on the opening of the second front in Africa.—P.A.