Evening star., 1942-05-27
By CHARLES FEM,
Wide World.

Wide World.
SOMEWHERE IN CHINA, May
27.--When I arrived in Mandalay
April l6, found little Left of the
city except charred tree stumps and
blackened heaps of bricks.
Here and there, from mounds OF
ashes smoke curled into the still
air. 1t was a deserted city, a tragic
spectacle of blocks on blocks of
ruins-mostly caused by japanese
bombings, some by the Scorched
earth policy, others the work of
fifth columnists and looters.
The American Baptist Church
which had been occupied by Indian
troops. and luckily unhit by Japa-
nese bombs, was intact as were a
number of stucco business buildings
along the main street.
From Mandalay our mud-Splat-
tered, -pocked jeep carried us
to Meiktila, journey interrupted
by hurried frequent scampers into
bitches for protection from Japa-
nese planes.
At dinner that night we shared
our canned goods with two British
officers who were glad to have a
change from the bully beef, jam
and moldy bread which seemed to
be the regular army fare in Burma.
Burmese Agents of Japs.
Next morning while mechanics
were tinkering with our jeep, a
plane came over so low that from
our ditch we could see the pilot
looking over the side. 1t turned out
to be Hurricane, the only machine
to escape an enemy straflng OF an
air base in Northern Burma.
AS it landed on nearby runway
we saw an orange-rObed figure
whom we recognized as pungyi
or Burmese priest, moving stealthily
about.
Hasn't taken that bird long to
find out where I've landed and it
won't take him long to let the Japs
know" said the pilot.
The British said Burmese priests
often have been the chief agents
of the Japanese fifth column work
In Burma. A British officer pulled
out his revolver, but instead of
shooting. ordered the corporal to
warn the man off.
Later in the morning Burmese
who had been caught looting was
handed by British captain to some
Chinese soldiers nearby. He was
shot.
Sky Filled With Flames.
Late in the afternoon, our jeep
repaired. we were able to get on our
way to Yenangyaung, the oil fields
which were already being destroyed
As we came into the city after dark
the sky was afire with the blazing
skeletons of derricks, and burning
embers scattered over the road on
which we were making a cautious
way.
On the horizon pillows of flame
rolled upwards from burning oil
drums. So bright was the light
Of the fires that we could plainly
read at the entrance Of one of the
storage compounds: mo smoking,
give up lighters and matches"
Yenangyaung was deserted ex-
cept for some British soldiers on
guard end officials in charge of the
destruction. The chief demolition
expert was Walter Forster, black
mustached, severe, veteran not
only of destruction in all Southern
Burma, but also of endless miles of
scorched earth on the Soviet
frontiers.
We spent most of the day with
Mr.. Forster helping him burn any,
thing still undestroyed. Nothing
anywhere else could have been more
completely destroyed than were the
oil fields at Yenangyaung All
wooden derricks were burned and
steel structures warped by the bon
fires lighted below Machinery at
the well-head was blown up.
$1,000, 900 Plant Blasted.
Repair shops were all burned.
Heavy machinery not destroyed by
fire was cut through with blow
torches. This destruction was COM
pleted over period of three weeks.
All that remained on the last day
was the burning OF houses kept in
tact until the last minute for use
of evacuees and troops.
Mr.. Forster and three Of us would
go into house, hurriedly look over
furnishings for objects of use, such
as clothing, engineering instruments,
food and perhaps "a curio or two,
After taking drink from the water
filter we would toss the glass through
the window, pour gasoline over the
curtains and throw each of them
a lighted match.
Five minutes later the seasoned
teak wood, of which most of the
houses were built, would be q blaz-
ing furnace.
We carefully strapped explosives
to the turbines of the 81 600, 900 pow