THREAT TO MANDALAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1942, Page 3

THREAT TO MANDALAY

JAPANESE ONLY TWENTY MILES FROM CITY Damaging Blow Struck by Ghurka Battalion CHINESE STUBBORNLY OPPOSING ENEMY ADVANCE FROM LASHIO PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S ASSURANCE OF CONTINUED AID LONDON, May 1.. In Burma, Japanese troops have reached a point a little more than 20 miles south of the city of Mandalay. .Che enemy is how attacking Kyaukse and the latest communique states that a Ghurka battalion with tanks successfully engaged the Japanese north of the town. About 500 casualties were inflicted on the Japanese with the loss of only ten Ghurkas. A bridge at Kyaukse has been successfully blown up. General Alexander’s forces are now in front of .Mandalay in positions running in a curve from the west to the south. After the capture, of Lashio the Japanese forces have pushed northward to Hsenwi. The Chinese Expeditionary Force is offering stubborn resistance. Further south, where Chinese forces have been left behind, they are vigorously attacking the Japanese positions in the rear. A New Delhi communique states that in an Allied raid on Rangoon on Wednesday night, sticks of 5001 b bombs were dropped on the dock area. The flight successfully dodged enemy anti-aircraft gun fire and attacks by Japanese fighters. In Washington, President Roosevelt told his Press conference that in spite of the Japanese occupation of Lashio some way would be found to send military aid to China.