YANGTZE OPERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 146, 23 June 1938, Page 9

YANGTZE OPERATIONS

PLANES Y. WARSHIPS CHINESE ATTACK IN SHANSI (Received June 23, 12.40 p.m.) SHANGHAI, June 22. The Japanese claim that their fleet in the Yangtze River is nearing the Matung boom, and that warplanes bombing the Chinese positions on the banks hit a Chinese mine-layer above the boom, causing it to ground. The Chinese claim to have repulsed the Japanese landing at Tungliu, 27 miles from Wuhu. The Yellow River has fallen eighteen inches. The Japanese are dropping rubber boats by parachute to enable | the Japanese troops to escape fromj marooned villages. i The Chinese are offensive on a broad front in Shansi Province, and declare that they have broken the Japanese line at Linfeng, 80 miles north of the Yellow River, 'and are now attempting to occupy the city. The floods at present protect the Chinese flank. ■■' ' Chinese planes have sunk or disabled over a dozen Japanese warships in the Yangtse in the past ten days. The Chinese Government offices, which are at present located at Hankow, have been instructed to disregard the order to evacuate to Chungking. This reflects the growing belief than Hankow can be defended.