HARRIED BY R.A.F.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1942, Page 3

HARRIED BY R.A.F.

JAPANESE FORCES IN BURMA

CEASELESS ATTACKS ON ENEMY RIVER TRANSPORT & OTHER TARGETS. POSITION OF BRITISH LAND FORCES. LONDON, May 19. In Burma the Japanese who followed the British forces up the Chindwin River are now being ceaselessly harried by the R.A.F. British aircraft continued yesterday their bombing of Japanese transport on the Chindwin River, as well as other targets north of Kalewa, from which our troops withdrew last week. Akyab was also bombed. An official statement issued in New Delhi denies a statement that 5000 survivors of British troops from Burma are safe on Indian soil. This description of the situation is described as wholly and utterly incorrect. The report in question presumably referred to the successful evacuation of wounded and certain detachments across the border. General Alexander’s forces, numbering several times 5,000, are intact and still occupy positions in Burmese territory. QUICK HELP ■ .. NEEDED BY CHINA. AGAINST LARGE-SCALE OFFENSIVE. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 19. A Government spokesman revealed that there was increasing evidence that the Japanese were on the verge of a large-scale offensive against China. He described China’s outlook in the immediate future as very grave and said: “We need all possible help, especially planes, from our Allies. This aid must, be dispatched urgently to enable us to cope with the enemy on the Yunnan border. “Likewise,” the spokesman added, “the situation in Chekiang is increasingly perilous, the enemy having reinforced the original 30,000 troops with which he began the offensive there.”