VERY SERIOUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1942, Page 3

VERY SERIOUS

SITUATION IN BURMA ROAD & RAILWAY CUT BY ENEMY. SITTANG CROSSED NORTH OF PEGU. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 28. The Japanese, according to reports from Burma, have cut the road and railway to the west of the Sittang River, and there is no reason to disbelieve this, it is stated in an authoritative source in London. Such an operation—possibly in the Shwegyin area, north of Pegu—would, of course, imply that Japanese forces have crossed the Sittang. Apart from this, the situation on the Sittang appears to be that the British forces are now withdrawing certain numbers —more than was at first expected—to the west bank, where they face strong Japanese concentrations. The Japanese losses here are believed to be. about 2000 killed and wounded. All that - can be said of the military situation of Rangoon is that it is very serious. TOKIO WARNING EXPECTATION OF RAIDS ON JAPAN. NEW YORK, February 28. The Tokio radio warned the population that a direct attack against the Japanese homeland could be expected from the Aleutian Islands (mainly United States territory). The radio said that the tightness of the home defences had hitherto prevented bombings against Japan, but it would be a miracle if Nippon went through the war untouched. Therefore the Japanese must abandon complacency and smugness, which was worse than bombs.