THE CHINESE DRIVE

Evening Star, Issue 23258, 5 May 1939, Page 13

THE CHINESE DRIVE

JAPAN CLAIMS FAILURE LARGE CASUALTIES AND CAPTURES I Feu United I’m ess Association.) WELLINGTON, May 4. The Cunsm-ueaeial lur Japan uMr K. unnji) Has leceivtiii iuUkc trailsmilted u.v cuuiegrain mini JoKio to Austuiiia as luilows; —" It is true that me l.iniK'se lorces actheiy uttacKed tiie Japanese positions in Norm, Central, aim south ennui irom Die end ol March to April 2U. Although it bus olteu been reported hy Press caulegraihs Irom Loudon that the Chinese nad gained consideraole ground, driving hack the Japanese forces ami indicting heavy casualties, the inhumation available at iuliio gives quite a contrary account. As a matter of fact, the Japanese armies, during the above-mentioned period, have repulsed all attacks by the Chinese forces everywhere, with serious losses to the latter.

“ According to information issued by the intelligence office of the Japanese northern army, during the period from the end of March to April 20, a total of 14,278 Chinese soldiers were killed and 278 taken prisoners. The Japanese casualties totalled 219 killed and 57 wounded. The ratio of killed was 65 Chinese to one Japanese. In Central China, during the same period, 24,000 Chinese soldiers were killed and 8,630 were taken prisoners. The Japanese also captured 103 guns. The total number of Chinese soldiers killed in North and Central China was nearly 40,000 and nearly 9,000 were taken prisoners. The intelligence office of the Japanese South China expedition issued a statement on April 25 that since the end of March 4,262 Chinese soldiers had been,killed and the number of wounded was estimated at about 10,000. Prisoners taken by tho Japanese totalled 51, including the commander of a Chinese division. The Japanese had also captured 45 guns. Japanese casualties comprised 123 killed and 351 wounded. “ It was also announced that four divisions of Chinese .troops in South China had been badty shattered, especially the 150th Division, which had been almost annihilated. Wang Chingwei, former Vice-president ow the Kuo-, mintang, discussing tho situation, stated that the activities of the Chinese forces had been very favourably reported by the Chinese Government at Chung-king as propaganda, but he personally questioned whether there was any truth in their claims to having retaken even one city.”