FIGHTING RETREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1942, Page 3

FIGHTING RETREAT

AIADE BY BRITISH FORCES CHINESE IN ACTION FURTHER EAST. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 3. This morning’s Burma communique gives an encouraging indication that Gemeral Alexander’s forces are intact between the Irrawaddy and Chimdwin Rivers. The Japanese yesterday claimed to have captured Mandalay, and it is authoritatively stated in London that, though there is no confirmation of this, it would not be worth while with the enemy in Lashio, to suffer great losses in defending Mandalay. The Japanese advance to Monywa (west of Mandalay) and Hsipaw (to the north) evidently endangered the British position in the city itself, and a withdrawal has seemed likely.

A Japanese Press correspondent in Burma admits this morning that not much is .left of Mandalay, which, he states, is burnt to the ground. “On the vast plain the smouldering ruins seem to spread for' miles arid miles, and not even a dog is to be seen in the streets.”

A communique issued in Chungking s-ays: “Our troops are continuing to attack the rear of the Japanese forces north of Loilem. A Japanese force north of Hsenwi (32 miles north of Lashio along the Burma Road) has been repulsed with heavy casualties.” BONG OF WONG RULER OF ASSAM TRIBE OF HEADHUNTERS. WAR DECLARED ON JAPAN. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) NEW DELHI, May 3.

It is officially stated that the Bong of Wong, the ruler of a fierce tribe of headhunters in Assam, has declared war on Japan'. He is the second chieftain in Assam to take this action, the other being the King of Namdang.