Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1938. THE STRUGGLE FOR HANKOW.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 284, 12 September 1938, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1938. THE STRUGGLE FOR HANKOW.

The terrific nature of the struggle for Hankow, which has been waged for some weeks, is due to the fact that the Japanese regard the capture of the city as urgently essential to victory, while the Chinese for their part realise what a demoralising effect retreat from the Government’s new headquarters would have upon their forces throughout the country. Each side has brought into the area all the available troops, with the result that operations in the other sectors have become of minor importance, if they have not practically ceased. Without adequate land forces, the fall of Hankow cannot be accomplished; while foreign military observers agree that by way of the Yangtse the Japanese can effectively proceed, in spite of vigorous defence by artillery and a river-boom at Kiukiang, the necessity for these land forces is asserted just as emphatically. The plan of resistance evolved by the Chinese command accords with this opinion. The hope of the Chinese Government,’ wrote an English observer late in June with reference to Hankow, "is that in front of the great Yangtse town the Japanese will meet their Waterloo.” The Japanese forces have the advantage of being highly mechanised and equipped on the most up-to-date lines. The Chinese, on the other hand, find their principal strength in guerilla tactics. The increasing rough nature of the hilly country as Hankow is approached offers impediment to the progress of the mechanised army, while it will afford the Chinese excellent facilities for guerilla tactics, both during the advance and in the event of the city being evacuated. Should Hankow fall, the Chinese will be under the necessity of finding another retreat for the Government, while the Japanese will have a most favourable base for consolidating their operations toward the south.