CLOSER TO YANGTSE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25678, 15 December 1948, Page 5

CLOSER TO YANGTSE

Fighting East Of Nanking COMMUNIST CRAFT SUNK ON RIVER (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.10 a.m.) Dec. 14. The to-day moved closer to the Yangtze river east of Nanking, where the Communists are reported to have over-run many points in the swampy approaches to the river. The Nationalist Navy headquarters has announced the sinking of several Communist craft in the Yangtse near Kiangying, 80 miles east of Nanking. Two Government Army groups encircled near Suhsien, 100 miles north-west of Nanking, are now relying almost solely on airdropped food and ammunition. They are desperately trying to construct a landing ground, but it is understood that no aircraft have yet been able to land. Gunfire was audible in some parts of Peiping last night as Nationalist troops and refugees poured into the ancient capital through the west gate. Reports said that fighting had broken out at Tsinghochien, only eight miles north of Peiping. Fighting is also going on not far from the west airfield of Peiping, resulting in its abandonment. All Chinese Air Force aeroplanes have moved, to the southern field at Nanyuan, seven'' miles south of Peiping. Excitement reigns in Peiping, where a curfew has been imposed from 8 o’clock every night. The Communists, who were earlier reported across the Tientsin-Pukow railway, only 25 miles north of Nanking. have withdrawn, according to reliable sources. They retired to the

hills east of the railway where they are still threatening the lifeline to the main Government forces north of Pengpu. The Communist withdrawal from the railway permitted the track to be repaired and traffic with Pengpu to be resumed. It is thought unlikely that the Communists will try to drive on southward until a decision is reached north of Pengpu where the position of the surrounded Nationalist armies is becoming more precarious as supplies diminish. I