MORE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1943, Page 3

MORE FIGHTING

IN NORTH-WEST BURMA ■ r ALLIED AIRCRAFT ACTIVE OVER WIDE AREA. MANY SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) RUGBY, March 19. An Indian communique states: “Yesterday fighting broke out again in the Mayu Peninsula. East of the Mayu River, Japanese pressure has slackened. Fighting continues in the area of Taungadara, some 16 miles north of Rathedaung. The enemy has dug in in the hills east of this village. During the day the R.A.F. continued to support our land forces. Bombers and fighters were active over the whole battle area. Many targets, including a Japanese headquarters in the Donbaik sector, were successfully attacked. Hits were observed on all the targets bombed and enemy positions were machinegunned by low-flying Hurricanes. Other fighters, on offensive patrol over many parts of enemy-occupied Burma, shot up road and trail traffic. Near Singon, in the upper valley of the Irrawaddy, an enemy convoy of three lorries and two staff cars was strafed. Four vehicles were set on fire. “Yesterday afternoon a formation of enemy aircraft appeared north of Rathedaung and was engaged by our fighters. Several combats ensued. “Last night our bombers attacked various objectives in Burma, including the Heho airfield, Akyab town, and railway marshalling yards at Mandalay. Bombs were seen to burst on all targets and fires were left burning. None of our aircraft are missing from these operations.” SAFE WITHDRAWAL MADE BY INDIAN TROOPS. USEFUL R.A.F. HELP. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) RUGBY, March 19. The safe withdrawal of the Indian troops who had been fighting in the Kaladan River area is reported by a correspondent in Burma. Their position at Kanzauk, -on the Kaladan River was threatened by Japanese infiltration and they were ordered to withdraw. They had to face a nasty journey through roadless and almost trackless jungle, and from March 6 to March 12 struggled through steep, tangled hill country. On March 8 the R.A.F. began to supply the retiring troops with food. The Japanese foolishly told one prisoner he could return to his unit, believing them to be cut off. He is now safely on the Mayu Peninsula, having found his comrades and marched out with them.