TROOPS FROM INDIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1942, Page 3

TROOPS FROM INDIA

COVERING WITHDRAWAL AND FORMING SPEARHEAD OF DEFENCE. ENEMY PROGRESS IN YUNNAN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, May 13. Heavy fighting is reported near both the Indian and Chinese borders. The Calcutta correspondent A..9+the "Daily Mail" says that fresh troops have crossed the frontier from India to Burma to cover General Alexander's withdrawal. The two forces have already made contact. The new force will also act as the spearhead of the defence of India. It had been officially reported last night that General Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, had returned to New Delhi after inspecting the north-east-ern frontier defences in company with the commander of the Eastern Army. General Alexander’s forces are meeting the Japanese thrust only 50 miles from the border. After being sharply repulsed on the previous day, the enemy has recovered, apparently having been reinforced, and has launched an attack on Shwegyin. In a new drive against what has been described as “China’s backdoor’ 1 in Yunnan Province, the Japanese have now brought up reinforcements and are attacking near Lungling, 50 miles along the Burma Road in China. The Chungking spokesman said that the enemy’s objective appeared to be Tawchan, 100 miles inside Chinese territory. About 100 miles to the west of the Burma Road a Chinese force has moved behind the Japanese at Myitkyina, the northern terminus of the Burma railway, and are sharply attacking.