CHINESE RETIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 11

CHINESE RETIRE.

JAPANESE CLAIMS. Attempt To Cut Off Flying Forces. HAND-TO-HAND BATTLE. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, March 29. A Tokyo message says that after fierce hand-to-hand fighting the Japanese have captured Wuning, from whence they are striking toward Changsha. The Chinese are retreating from Fencheng along the Chekan railway to Linkiang, blowing up bridges and trains in order to check pursuit. Fighting in the Province centres about Lientang, 10 miles south of Nanchang. The Japanese are attempting to cut the railway between Nanchang and Pingsiang, while another column is attacking Kwaslian, 10 miles south of Lientang, the objective of the entire operation being the occupation of Pingsiang and the colliery line south of Nanchang, thereby cutting off the Chinese retreat. An earlier message from Shanghai stated that one of the heaviest battles in the war, engaging 1,000.000 men, is raging between the Kan and Sui Rivers, following the fall of Nanchang. The Japanese claim that the Chinese lost 18,000 killed and 25,000 wounded. The Japanese casualties were 12,000 killed and 14,000 wounded.