BURMA CAMPAIGN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1942, Page 3

BURMA CAMPAIGN

R.A.F. HAMMERING AWAV AT ENEMY

ANOTHER RAID ON CHINDWIN FRONT. CHINESE OPERATIONS IN YUNNAN. LONDON, May 21. The R.A.F. is still hammering away at the Japanese in Burma. New Delhi reports a fresh raid in which our planes bombed enemy forces on the Chindwin River, about 140 miles northwest of Mandalay. Chinese forces in Yunnan are attacking a town some 60 miles inside the Burmese frontier. NEW GROUPING OF THE CHINESE FORCES. HOPES OF DEFENDING YUNNAN. (Sv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, May 20. The Chinese are still challenging every foot of the invaders’ advance in Yunnan and Burma. They were in scattered units under a prearranged plan, but they are now regrouped to meet the Japanese advances. The cost in casualties to the Japanese of a further advance ’up the Burma Road will certainly be more than they can afford to pay.

A Chungking message says that the Governor of Yunnan Province, addressing a memorial meeting, declared that no matter how the situation may have deteriorated, Yunnan will be defended. He added that the Japanese had not moved over-deeply into Yunnan. Instead, they would probably soon retire from the frontier as a result of Chinese pressure from the rear and also because the terrain was definitely unfavourable for the invaders. The correspondent of the “New York Times” reports that the rainy season has begun throughout Yunnan. Torrents are washing out roads and swelling rivers, hampering transportation. They will inevitably bring malaria and cholera. The defence of this area is most important for China because the Yunnan mountain valleys contain a considerable portion of Chinese fighting strength, many new war factories and also essential centres of tin, copper and iron production.

IMPORTANT CAPTURES MADE BY THE CHINESE. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 21. On the Western Yunnan front the Chinese have captured Kanlanchai and seized large quantities of booty.