§ 20. Mr. Edgar Granvilleasked the Secretary of State for War if he can make a statement on the progress of British troops in their advance on Mandalay.
§ Sir J. GriggI will, with permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GranvilleAre there now available the fullest facilities for war correspondents to send uncensored reports, particularly with regard to British and Indian Regiments?
§ Sir J. GriggTo the best of my belief, yes.
§ Following is the statement:
§ The House will be aware that after the brilliant series,of advances which brought them up to and across the Irrawaddy River, North, West and South-West of Mandalay, British and Indian troops have struck at the heart of Japanese communications with South Burma by the capture of Meiktila.
§ Taking advantage of the Japanese reaction to this threat, 19th Indian Division broke out from their bridgehead east of Shwebo and advanced southwards to enter Mandalay on 8th March. (Approximately half the town is now cleared and both British and Indian battalions are distinguishing themselves in house to house fighting.)
§ Fort Dufferin, built in fulfilment of a vision by King Mindon in 1856 is now the major Japanese centre of resistance. With walls 28 feet high, an embankment 12 feet high and 66 feet thick at the top and surrounded by a moat some 200 feet broad, its reduction is no easy matter. But methodical operations supported by the R.A.F. are in progress to breach the outworks and storm the citadel.
§ Meanwhile, a column has moved round the east of the city and cut the Burma Road at Maymyo, whilst, to the southwest a powerful force is moving eastwards to complete the encirclement. The encirclement is now virtually completed as the leading troops of both forces are about to link up some ten miles south of Fort Dufferin.
§ The House would wish me to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the skill and foresight of the Commanders and the gallantry and determination of the troops involved in these operations.