SERIOUS PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1942, Page 3

SERIOUS PROBLEMS

FACED IN BURMA DEFENDERS IN INFERIOR NUMBERS. WITHOUT DIRECT AIR SUPPORT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 4. ' The news from Burma is recognised in London to be serious and Lieutenant-General Alexander has many difficulties to contend with. Not only* has he inferior numbers, but also the Japanese can reinforce their troops more easily both by sea through Rangoon and by land from Thailand. The lack of air support for the British and Chinese forces is another result of the physical isolation of Burma from India. In such country, where the troops must remain concentrated on the roads, the lack of aircraft is more serious than in open desert country. A further heavy handicap has been the hostility of the Burmese in the Irrawaddy and Prome areas. “The Times,” in a tribute to the defenders of Burma, says: “Constantly bombed, wearied with marching and counter-marching in heat and unhealthy country, sniped at and harassed by local traitors, even when they held their avowed foes at a distance, they have given a fine example of unbending resolution and endurance. These qualities have already brought them out of some very tight places, and, what is equally important, have ensured that they will remain a firstclass fighting force, ready to seize any opportunity and even to reverse the present situation if they are provided with reasonably adequate means of support.” In these circumstances, the disclosure of the presence of American heavy bombers in India comes as a welcome promise of improvement in the situation. The damage inflicted in the Flying Fortresses’ first raid on Port Blair, in the Andamans, which was reported yesterday, recalls the destructive raids by American bombers on the shipping in New Guinea, which have apparently halted the Japanese' operations and gained time for the Americans to reinforce Australia. Where the Fortresses in India are based is not stated, but the nearest parts of India and Ceylon are 700 miles west and north-west of the Andamans. The presence of these formidable .aircraft may be expected to'be a powerful deterrent to any Japanese naval operations in the Bay of Bengal.

enemy action and other causes are now stated to be 25. The Langley was an unusual vessel for her role, being formerly a collier, the Jupiter. The ship was launched in 1912, converted into an aircraft-carrier, in 1922, and then employed as an air-craft-tender from 1937. She was of 11,500 tons. and operated officially seven landing aircraft.