Evening star., 1942-05-12
Mixup in Burmu

MIxup IN Burma
The current military picture in
Burma is one of seemingly extreme
confusion, with both sides outfank-
ing each other in an unpredictable
tangle. Strange though the Situa-
tion may be in terms of classic
strategy, it is characteristic of pres
ent-day mechanical tactics, which
have largely revolutionized the art
of war.
These new tactics consist in daring
thrusts by mechanical columns with
spearheadS of tanks and umbrellas OF
planes, dashing far into hostile ter
ritory with little or no regard for
their lines Of communication. The
technique was first applied success
fully by the Germans in their in
vasion Of France and the Low Coun-
tries two years ago, and was repeated
by the Germans in Russia last year
with initial successes but with ulti-
mate reverses, largely because OF. the
vastness Of the country and the
presence Of enemy forces similarly
mechanized and employing the same
tactics.
The Burma theater of war re-
sembles France more than Russia, in
that it is limited in extent and with
mechanical superiority favoring the
Japanese invaders. They began their
campaign by a two-pronged drive
from the port city Of Rangoon north
ward up the parallel valleys of the
1rrawaddy and Sittang Rivers, held
respectively by British imperials and
by Chinese regulars commanded by
the American General Stilwell.
When the defenders were fully en-
gagged, the Japanese high command
launched surprise drive farther to
the eastward from Thailand through
the Shan States. This push through
rough, roadless hill country brushed
aside screen of Chinese troops and
quickly reached Lashio, thereby cut
ting the Burma road and isolating
General Stilwell's main Chinese
force, far to the southwestward below
Mandalay. At the same time, the
Japanese column in the Irrawaddy
Valley reached Mandalay and drove
the British imperials northwestward
through Upper Burma toward Assam,
the borderland Of India This split
the defending forces and further
isolated General Stilwell's Chinese
army. simultaneously, the japanese
at Lashio branched out, one wing
pushing up the Burma road well into
Chinese territory, the other wing
striking for Bhamo in Upper Burma,
where side road runs into Chinese
territory. The Japanese also report
that they have struck still farther
northward in Burma, perhaps from
Mandalay, attempting to cut of the
retreat Of the British imperials.
However, the Chinese have reacted
strongly. The japanese column ad-
vancing up the Burma road has been
ambushed and repeatedly cut to
pieces, while simultaneously the
force under General Stilwen has
moved northward, striking both at
Mandalay and at Lashio, thereby
endangering all the scattered Japa-
nese spearheads in Upper Burma
from the rear. General Stilwell is
supposed to have had some 10000
troops OF high quality under his
command. That is powerful force,
which has already given an excellent
account OF itself. 1t is handicapped,
however, by lack of tanks, planes
and artillery. Apparently the Japa-
nese lines OF communication up the
Irrawaddy OH the west and through
the Shan country on the east are not
yet endangered, and they are report
edly throwing in heavy reinforce
ments to bolster their front lines,
especially on the Burma road.
1t is impossible to predict what
will emerge from the desperate melee
that is taking place in Burma. But
the japanese drive up the Burma
road into China seems to have been
definitely smashed. Indeed, the
Chinese assert they deliberately re-
treated in apparent confusion so as
to lure the japanese into a trap.
More than that cannot be definitely
stated at this crucial stage Of COM
plex campaign.