. The Fall of Myitkyina
The fall of Myitkyina, besieged for nearly twelve weeks, marks a new stage in the laborious, painful but successful campaign in dporthern Burma in which Americans, British, Indians and Chinese • have been taking part. The monsoon has added to the discomforts but failed to stop progress there or in the Manipur region. The defeat of the Japanese in their audacious offensive against Kohima and Imphal has secured the threatened land communications of General Stilwell's force in northern Burma, which has relied, how- ever, as much upon supplies by air as by road. The towns of Mogaung, Kamaing and Myitkyina formed a triangle of fortifica- tions on which the Japanese strength in the extreme north of Burma depended. Each of these has fallen in turn, the last only after a prolonged siege in which Americans, Chinese and Indians took part. The garrison -fought obstinately, and was killed almost to the last man. General Stilwelrs objective is the reopening of the Burma 'Road. He may first aim at linking up with the Chinese who have been advancing from the east. The distances in this country are measured not so much by miles as by the obstacles of mountains and precipitous valleys, to say nothing of the climate. But more than some deemed possible has already been achieved, and with the weakening of Japanese resistance there may be some speeding up of progress towards the point where the Burma Road will offer communications with Chinese-occupied territory.
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