FIGHTING IN BURMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 January 1943, Page 3

FIGHTING IN BURMA

BRITISH & INDIAN TROOPS ENGAGED OPERATIONS IN SWAMPY TERRITORY. R.A.F. GIVING ACTIVE SUPPORT. LONDON, January 13. In north-western Burma fighting is still going on 2,5 miles north of Akyab. British and Indian troops are battling through rice fields and mangrove swamps, over country that can only be supplied by boats. A Scottish regiment, and a well-known North Country regiment, as well as Indian troops are engaged in these operations. The R.A.F. continues to give the ground troops good cover and yesterday attacked two villages on Akyab Island and further down the coast destroyed three or four supply sampans. Railway targets in Central Burma were also attacked. Once again, all the planes came back.

TRIBAL FEUDS STIRRED UP BY JAPANESE. BRITISH PEACEMAKING EFFORTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 12. Aiming to delay the British advance, the Japanese have incited the natives of Burma to revive age-old tribal feuds, reports the “Daily Mail’s” corresspondent with General Wavell’s forces It is estimated that 20,000 people have been murdered or rendered homeless by arson in the last six months. Scores of villages have been burnt and hundreds of acres of farmlands devastated. British guerilla officers, chosen for their toughness and knowledge of the country, are endeavouring to make peace. They are trekking, guided by natives, hundreds of miles over mountains and-jungle tracks, meeting headmen and attempting to arrange an armistice and protection for villages. Punishment for murders and incendiarists is being offered by the officers who are treating the tribesmen alike, whether or not they have cooperated with the Japanese. Casualties recently have lessened, but village -burning continues.