Imperial Valley press., 1942-02-03
ImperiaIs RepuIse
Crossing Attempt
On SaIween River
BY DARRELL BERRIGAN

ftANGoON, req. o, UPD-Jdl) pa
nese forces crossed the SalWeen river
barrier, it was reported today, but
Imperial troops quickly mopped up
most of them and prevented a large
scale crossing.
The Japanese forces also attempt
ed to land along the Burma coast
in the gulf of Martaban north OF
Changson island but were said to
have been repulSed.
Reports Indicated the japanese
thrust toward Rangoon was being
directed along so mile front from
the SalWeen river mouth below
Moulmein to Paan.
STEPPING STONES
The Japanese were attempting
to cross the wide, treacherouS wa
ters of the SalWeen by hop skip
and jump methods, utilizing the
numerous small islands and mud
flats which dot the estuary.
Thus far reports Indicated they
have had scant success. Their sea
landing efforts north OF Changsor
were carried out by small craft but
the small japanese landing boats
were beaten back.
Royal air force bombers anG
fighters were flying low over the
SalWeen front, attacking with bombs
and machine gun fire the japanese
position.
One Japanese gun position which
was being employed to shell Mar
taban was Knocked out by Raj
planes.
NOT so IMPORTANT
Informed sources said the STRAIT
egic importance of Martaban has
been reduced by the fall of MQul-
mein and by the threat Of thanking
operations in the Paan area, about
90 miles to the north.
British forces We're said to be
on guard against japanese land
ings as far north as Thegon from
which a Japanese drive to the east
would cut off the British at Mar
taban.
The Japanese were believed to be
bringing up reinforcements from
Thailand to bulWark their attacking
troops along the SalWeen.
Burmese troops, in withdrawing
from the Tenasserim front, were
reported to have inflicted heavy
losses upon the japanese in bay
onet engagements. British officials
said green Burmese troops con-
Quoted themselves with great cOur-
age and ability.
NEW MOVES AWAITED
The Imperials, temporarily secure
behind the river barrier. guarded
against japanese moves, in the pat
tern of Malaga fighting, to strike
far north of Moulmein toward the
looping Burma Road or to attempt
to land on the jagged coast OF the
gulf of Martaban west of Rangoor
A Water-bOrne thrust at any point
On the eastern side of the pointed
gulf on whose western side is jap
anese occupied Moulmein would
endanger the railroad extending
from Martaban and threaten I'M
perial troops on the western bank
of the Salween with entrapment.
A drive from the north in the
Shwegun area, some so miles north
of Moulmein, would imperil the
same line and shorten to IS miles
the distance dividing the japanese
from the Burma Road
60 MILES FROM BORDER
Still farther north, in the Papun
region, the road-the first link OF
which is the Rangoon-M -Mandalay
railroads. but 60 miles from the
jutting border of Thailand.
Imperial troops were in strong
positions in the 70-mile deep pocket
Of land bounded on the east by the
north-south flowing Salween and
on the west by the gulf.
They had won the first round in
the real battle of Burma" British
bombers blasted a japanese attempt
to cross the lower river i'll bargeS,
inflicting heavy losses.
A communique indicated that the
planes attacked japanese troops at
or on Kadoe Ferry possibly
showing that the invaders had gain
ed foothold on the river island
which is opposite Martaban ana
some 10 miles northeast of Moul-
mein.
Artillery duels were being fought
across the lower river.