LOSS OF MANDALAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1942, Page 4

LOSS OF MANDALAY

CHUNGKING COMMUNIQUE THE JAPANESE ENTRY. CONFUSION IN FIGHTING AREA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) CHUNGKING, May 3. A Chinese High Command communique states that the Japanese eritered Mandalay on May 1, since when fighting under great confusion has been going on.” CHINESE BOMBERS ‘ GOOD INITIAL EFFORT IN BURMA. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE AT LASHIO. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 3. An American Volunteer Group communique says: “Chinese bombers, acting for the first time on the Burma front, supported by American Volunteer Group planes, heavily bombed Lashio on Sunday. They hit an aerodrome, set lire to enemy planes and barracks and also exploded a fuel dump.” A Chungking communique _ says fighting is progressing in the vicinity of Mandalay, which was evacuated on Friday morning, while the Chinese are holding Taung-gyi.” - . The. Japanese north of Lashio are reported. to be receiving new reinforcements. TIME/GAINED FOR DEFENCE PREPARATION IN INDIA. BY HEROIC RESISTANCE IN BURMA. (Received This'Day; 1;5 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. Recent developments in Burma have not surprised military observers, who maintain that the strategic loss of Rangoon cut off the possibility of reinforcing our forces in any strength until new land routes have been opened or naval control restored, says “The Times” New Delhi correspondent. Deifying action by allies has enabled work to proceed on new roads and has given time to augment India’s defences. India is now in a state of greater preparedness than when Burma was invaded. British, Indian and Burmese forces are now centred in an area north of Mandalay, after a successful withdrawal across the Irrawaddy. Chinese forces between Taung-gyi and Loilem are engaging the enemy and pushing eastward, intending either to cut off the Japanese communications with Lashio or to break through the Japanese lines and join other Chinese forces farther eastward. While Fifth Columnists, mainly members of the Thakin Party, continue to assist the enemy, patriotic Burmans are serving the Allies on railways, roads and rivers. The heroic defenders of Burma, who have faced a numerically superior enemy, for four months have inflicted severe losses on the Japanese, estimated at 25 per cent of the enemy effectives. The Japanese air losses also have been high.