BRITISH TROOPS HOLDING GROUND SOUTH OF PROME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 April 1942, Page 3

BRITISH TROOPS HOLDING GROUND SOUTH OF PROME

Chinese Withdraw From Toungoo After Gallant Stand HEAVY ATTACK ON BATAN DEFENCES JAPANESE AIR LOSSES IN PHILIPPINES 'AND OTHER AREAS LONDON, April 1. In Burma our troops are holding their positions south of Prome in spite of intense enemy air activity. Fierce fighting is reported. a .. t On the Irrawaddy front, our troops cut off south oi trie Japanese road block on the Prome Road—a number of British regiments—have broken through and rejoined our main forces, which are holding their original positions south of Prome. The Japanese have still complete control of the air, and agency messages state that forces of 4,000 traitor Burmese, under Japanese officers, are threatening our right flank. The battle for Toungoo is described by Reuter’s correspondent at Chinese headquarters. The struggle lasted for over a week. In spite of being hammered from the air every day, Chinese forces swept in from the north and the Chinese in Toungoo, fighting splendidly, attacked from the south. The Chinese garrison has successfully withdrawn from Toungoo after intense fighting. The Chinese forces are now in positions north-east of the town. In the Batan Peninsula, waves of attacking Japanese troops, supported by heavy mortar fire, penetrated the American outposts at some points, but after hours of fighting were brought to a halt before the American main defences. The 116th air attack on Corregidor was brought abruptly to an end when the two Japanese heavy bombers engaged in the raid were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. In another attack by Australian and American planes on Koepang, in Netherlands Timor, six enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and six others damaged. There were many explosions and fires. All the planes returned to their base. An attack on runways and other objectives at Salamaua, in New Guinea, was also made by Allied planes, which flew there in spite of severe storms. A number of heavy bombs were dropped and successful results were observed. Last night the Japanese again attacked Darwin. The force was smaller than was at first thought to be the case. No Service targets were hit. There were no casualties or damage. President Roosevelt presided over the first meeting of the Pacific War Council in Washington today. British, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, Chinese and Netherlands representatives were present, as well as the U.S.A. Lend-Lease Administrator, Mr Harry Hopkins.