In Upper Burma
The campaigns in Upper Burma and on the Indian frontier have been going favourably for the Allies, but the interposition of immense mountains prevents success in one area from producing quick reactions in areas not very far distant as the crow flies. The Chindit expedition, supplied by air, has abundantly justified itself. Not only has it been working havoc on the Japanese • lines of communication, but 'it *ai Ghindit, forte,; 'co.-operating with Chinese, which stormed Mogatiiig last week, and is now in a posi- tion to add a further threat to the Japanese: garrisOk :iesieged at Myitkyina, the terminus of the Upper BurmA r ilvday.. ithe dangerous thrust of the Japanese against Allied communications in the Manipur area has brought heavy losses upon them, and leaves them deeply committed in a precarious position where they are at present the attacked rather than the attackers. Our base at Imphal, for long dependent on air supplies, and cut off from Kohima, which itself was in danger, now has its line of communications cleared ; and a force, based on Imphal, has advanced against the Japanese strong- hold at Ukhrul and captured it. But owing to the nature of the country and the weather successes in these regions cannot be quickly followed up. The improvement in the Allied position is steady but slow ; it shows that our forces have got the measure of an enemy who so well adjusted himself to jungle and mountain fighting. Our objectives are twofold: first, and more immediate, the reopening of the Burma Road in order to carry supplies to the hard-pressed Chinese ; and, secondly, to establish a strong position from which later we can threaten the Japanese from northern Burma, while they may be simultaneously attacked from the south.
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