LITTLE CHANGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1943, Page 4

LITTLE CHANGE

IN NORTH-WEST BURMA SERIES OF FIERCE ATTACKS & COUNTER-ATTACKS. EXTENDED AIR OPERATIONS. ~ (British Official. Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10, a.m.) RUGBY,. March. 16. An India comrriuriique states: “Fighting continues north of Rathedaung, but up to yesterday evening no further change in the positions had taken place. Activity was concentrated chiefly in the area between Thaungadara arid Kyauktan, north-north-east of Rathedaung, where a series of fierce attacks and counter-attacks have been going on. “Throughout yesterday R.A.F. bombers and fighters continued to give maximum support to the land forces in this sector. Bombs were seen to burst on all the targets attacked and in one place large fires were started among enemy-occupied buildings. Low-flying fighters were active in the battle area, and, among other targets successfully attacked, was an important gun position. During the morning a force of enemy bombers, with fighter escort, attacked in the Rathedaung area, but only slight damage was caused. Shortly afterwards a R.A.F. formation of Blenheims, escorted by Hurricanes, returning from operation further south, encountered the enemy arid rhany combats ensued. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed and several others were damaged. Our losses were two fighters and one Bleriheim, but the crew of the Blenheim are known to be safe. Last night R.A.F. Liberators attacked a Japanese base and aerodrome at Toungoo, in Central Burma. “From all these operations, with the exception of the losses reported above, one of our aircraft is missing.”

Thaungadara is about five miles above Rathedaung. Kyauktaw is three miles north of Thaungadara.