DEFENCE OF BURMA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1943, Page 4

DEFENCE OF BURMA

JAPANESE RUSHING IN REINFORCEMENTS ACCORDING TO CHINESE SPOKESMAN. ROADS BUILT FROM MALAYA TO NORTH OF MANDALAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. A Chungking report says:—“The Japanese are rapidly moving troops and equipment into Burma, Malaya, Thailand and Indo-China to meet the threat of an Allied attack in South-East Asia, declared a Chinese military spokesman. He added that there are many signs of enemy activity. The total Japanese strengm in Burma has been increased to nearly seven and a half divisions, of which three and a half have been sent in during the last fortnight. About 10,000 troops from Singapore and Malaya arrived in Burma last month and moved to points north of Mandalay. The Japanese had completed roads, enabling these troops to be moved by land. The Japanese air strength in Burma has also been increased: The Japanese apparently are planning to place their own troops on the border of IndoChina and China, where previously Vichy French forces had been stationed. It was expected that the Vichy administration would yield to Japanese pressure in this matter.