Evening star., 1942-01-15
China Units
In Burma Ready for
Drive Against laps
Enemy Threots to Sturt
AII-Out Roneoon Roids
Fail to Muteriulize
~ the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
RANGOON, Burma, Jan. Is
Chinese Army advance units have
reached points in Burma from which
an offensive against Japanese-held
territory ultimately may be de-
veloped, it was disclosed today.
A communique said preparations
for cooperation with China are well
In hand. Liaison between Chinese
and British staf1s proceeds"
The possibility that the Japanese
may attempt simultaneous attacks
on Singapore and Burma is recog-
nized by military circles here, but
they gave assurance that defensive
preparations for such an eventuality
are being made as well as the long
er range development Of striking
power.
Rangoon had q 10-minute air-raid
alarm this morning, but no enemy
planes were sighted, and broadcast
threats Of the Japanese to initiate
an all-out bombing Of Rangoon to-
day failed to materialize.
Reinforcements Arrive.
Both air and land reinforce
ments-the first to reach the British
Far East In more than q month Of
war with Japan-have arrived in
all-important Burma. More are on
the way.
An ofncial announcement yester-
day said these included anti-aircraft
batteries for Rangoon and other key
points and additional ground crews
for air units landed at Burmese air
fields, some Of which are hidden in
the jungle close to Thailand, spring.
board for Japan's drive on Sinsa-
pore.
(The wording Of this dispatch
may indicate that aircraft and
aviation personnel apart from
those making up the ground
crews have arrived. The Brit
ish have announced they do not
intend to disclose movements Of
aircraft and this might apply
likewise to flyers.
(Burma's air strength already
appears to &c the greatest Of any
British Far Eastern possession.
Some Of the heaviest raids on
Thailand have been made from
there. It is known to have re-
ceived aerial reinforcements
shortly before the war began0
RurvnAan ua~ r<.u>J
Fresh British and Indian troops.
equipped for instant action under
the Burma commander, 1t. Gen. T.
j. Hutton, heartened the Burmese as
they marched for the first time on
Burmas soil. They gave new hope
that Burma will become the base
Tor q strong counteof1ensive against
the Japanese armies which are
pouring into Malaga from Thailand.
The r. A. F. forces in Burma now
are truly imperial. There are pilots
from England, Canada, Australia
and South Africa. Un addition,
American veteran pilots grouped in
a volunteer squadron are protecting
the Burma road to China and en-
gaging In the air defense Of Ran.
COON.
The latest and heaviest japanese
air thrust at Rangoon, made in
Tuesday nights moonlight. fizzled
out. Several waves of japanese
oombers tried to hit military objec-
tlves In the environs Of the city, but
they caused only half q dozen civil
Ian casualties. A tour Of one section
where some hits were reported failed
TO disclose even any damage to pri-
vate buildings.
Two Of the Japanese bombers ar.
rived with their lights turned on
apparently . gesture Of bravado.
Threats by Radio.
Rangoon authorities were doing
their utmost to nullify the japanese
radio propaganda which threatened
that Japanese planes will bomb
Rangoon to the ground" in the next
three days and warning the native
population to nee at least IS miles
from the city. These broadcasts are
coming from both Bangkok and
Toxic.
British aircraft were over jap
anese-occupied territory presum.
ably Thailand-on reconnaissance
yesterday, . combined army and r.
A. F. headquarters communique dis
closed last night.
The japanese bombed an airdrome
north Of Rangoon yesterday morn
ing, but caused on damage to r. A. F.
property or casualties among the
personnel.
Tavoy. Burmese seaport west Of
Bangkok at the head Of the Malayan
Peninsula, was bombed yesterday
afternoon by four enemy planes, but
there were no casualties and no
DAMAGE fn r p nronertv