BRITISH TANKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1942, Page 3

BRITISH TANKS

WELCOME REINFORCEMENTS IN BURMA HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY. RELIEF FOR HARD-PRESSED TROOPS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, March 7. A communique issued in Rangoon yesterday stated: “On the southern front the area round Pegu was the scene of several engagements in which our troops gave a good account of themselves. An attack which was carried out by our armoured forces, with infantry and artillery in support, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured anti-tank guns and other material. Over 60 enemy dead wer-a counted and our casualties were very small. The appearance in the fighting of British tanks is welcomed as an important reinforcement for the hardpressed troops who are resisting i superior numbers of Japanese infantry round Pegu (says a British Official Wireless message). While it is not expected that this development will by itself reverse the situation in the British favour, the prospects of delaying the Japanese progress in lower Burma seem to be thereby brighter. The arrival of these powerful units also shows that the Anglo-American successes in the air so far have succeeded in keeping open the port of Rangoon for shipping. The British forces are reported in authoritative quarters to be still doing their best to cope with the enemy forces who have crossed the Sittang. A message from Mandalay says that the appearance of the tanks is regarded as the most heartening sight of the campaign and it has brought renewed hope, because the Japanese have no tanks. Lacking anti-tanks guns, the Japanese are using mortars against the British tanks.