NEW CHINESE OFFENSIVE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 5

NEW CHINESE OFFENSIVE

DRIVE IN EAST HONAN JAPANESE LOSSES AT CHANGSHA (Received January 13, 11 p.m.) LONDON, January 13. After their shattering defeat of the Japanese at Changsha, the Chinese forces are now reported to have launched a new offensive in the east of the Honan Province. Already several towns at present in Japanese hands are being threatened. It is reported from Chungking that the new offensive will sweep as far south as Canton and to Peiping in the north, with thrusts at Hr" chow and Nanking in the centre. . Another message from Chungkmg slates that American pilots operating with Chinese squadrons of aircraft today shot down 23 enemy machines, During yesterday, the American pilots shot down nine of the enemy. The Japanese forces retreating from Changsha in northern Hunan have been completely routed in a sanguinary battle between the Laotao and Milo rivers. "Hie Japanese lost 8000 dead, and thousands were taken prisoners. The battle lasted all day and night. The Chinese captured large quantities of equipment. The Japanese losses at Changsha are 50 000. This is the greatest Japanese defeat in the war with China. It is now known that four Japanese divisions were massed outside Changsha ready to make a triumphal entry on New Year’s Day. They walked faithfully into the trap which the Chinese had prepared. The Chinese told foreign correspondents who visited Changsha that they had prepared for months ahead to trap the largest possible number of Japanese at Changsha. The latest Chungking communique says a Japanese relief column was beaten back near the Anwhei border. Reports from Chungking state that the Japanese suffered 400 casualties south of Hanyang, in the Hupeh Province. Hanyang is one of three cities in the occupied Hankow metropolitan message states that while General Chiang Kai-shek will remain in charge of the Chinese fighting forces, an Anglo-American military mission will be stationed at an Important army centre to ensure the closest collaboration.

RUSSIA’S ROLE IN PACIFIC

War With Japan In Spring OPINION OF AMERICAN OBSERVERS WASHINGTON, January 12. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Herald Tribune" states that the subject of M. Litvinov’s talk with Mr Roosevelt on Sunday has been kept secret, but informed circles hint that the Russians’ role in the Pacific war was discussed. Informed circles add that most diplomat.s expect an outbreak of hostilities between Russia and Japan in the spring as soon as the weather conditions in Manchuria and Siberia permit. If the Japanese, meanwhile, are not seriously weakened by the offensive in the Philippines, the Netherlands East Indies, and Singapore, informed circles expect a Japanese attack against Russia while otherwise, if Japan is greatly exhausted by her winter drives, Russia is likely to act with Allied assistance.