BITTER BATTLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 269, 12 November 1943, Page 3

BITTER BATTLES

Chinese Resist Jap. Advance On Yangtse SUPPORTING U.S. PLANES . Rec. 11 a.m. CHUNGKING, Nov. 11 Supported by American aircraft sweeps in which 18 Japanese river craft were destroyed, Chinese troops fought bitterly along the 90-mile front between the Yangtse River and Tungting Lake, almost stopping the Japanese advance into the rice bowl, says the Associated Press correspondent in the centre of their line. The Japanese entered Tsingshih, 50 miles south-east of Chekiang, but were thrown back. General Stilwell's communique says that 18 sampans, barges and heavily-laden motor boats were sunk, and eight Japanese fighters warded off in a 100-mile battle. No American planes were lost. Fighting continues in the mountainous region south of the Yangtse River in the western Hupeh and northern Hunan provinces, says an Associated Press correspondent. The Chinese recaptured Nanhsien. The Chinese are holding the invaders in most sectors. The Japanese lost heavily when the Chinese attacked the column that penetrated the mountains to a point 40 miles south of Ichang.