LUNGLING RETAKEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 262, 4 November 1944, Page 5

LUNGLING RETAKEN

Victorious General Describes Jap. Defeat REOPENING SUPPLY ROUTE Rec. 10.30. CHUNGKING, Nov. 3. The Central news agency announced that the Chinese have recaptured Lungling, Burma Road keypoint, aftfer a five-day assault. The remnants of the Japanese garrison have fled southward. General Huang Chieh, commander of the Chinese troops who captured Lungling, in Yunnan Province, South-west China, says the Japanese put up a terrific last-minute battle. General Huang opened a drive against the city on May 11 and stormed in a month later with Chinese and American air support,

taut was forced out on June 17 by reinforced Japanese. After reassembling his forces, General Huang began another assault and captured Lungling. The Associated Press points out that Lungling was the principal remaining Japanese bastion on the Salween River front. Its capture has removed the last major obstacle to the junction of the Ledo and Burma Roads and the reopening of the land supply route to China. Enemy • remnants from Lungling retreated south-west towards Mangshih with the Chinese in full pursuit. The Chinese Army spokesman predicted that Kweilin will be able to endure a long siege.