FIERCE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 February 1942, Page 3

FIERCE FIGHTING

, JAPANESE DRIVE IN BURMA Enemy Attempts to Cross River Frustrated HEAVY CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES i OFFENSIVE BY CHINESE TROOPS LONDON, February 19. Fierce fighting’ continues in Burma where Japanese attemps to cross the Bilin River have been frustrated. The battle began on Tuesday and is still going on. The Japanese have not yet succeeded in crossing the river. An Army communique from Rangoon states that since the British infantry withdrew behind Bilin River operations have developed. The enemy first succeeded in cutting across our flank north of Bilin but by a counter-attack our positions were kept intact. The f enemy tried to cross the river but our troops drove them into the river. Extremely fierce fighting took place and the casualties were heavy on both sides. “The Battle of Rangoon has begun in earnest,” says the “Daily Telegraph’s” Rangoon correspondent. “The invaders, in spite of severe losses, have secured a foothold on the western bank of the Bilin River. The main British line ends on the frontier east of Papun. The Japanese are now striking heavily in the region of the town of Bilin, where the railway from Martaban to Rangoon approaches the gap in the Paunglaung Mountains. “The enemy’s aim is apparently to skirt the southern end of the mountains and possibly to support the westward drive with landings from the sea, which, however, would not enjoy the protection of the jungles and mangroves because the coast between the Bilin River and Rangoon River is flat and alluvial. “Chinese troops, who have invaded Thailand from the south of the Shan States, are stated to be progressing in the direction of Chiengmai.”