CHANGTEH BATTLE

Evening Star, Issue 25046, 13 December 1943, Page 3

CHANGTEH BATTLE

SEVEREST SINCE SHANGHAI JAPANESE LAUNCH COUNTER-ATTACKS (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) CHUNGKING, Dec. 12. Enemy remnants between Changteh and a point 13 miles to.the north-west have been completely wiped out,- says a Chinese communique. Japanese troops, the communique adds, under the cover of gas attacks, counter-attacked Chinese positions at Leichiapu, resulting in many Chinese officers and men being poisoned. North of Changteh, near Shihpan, and north-east, near Ohinghoshia, the Japanese also counterattacked, and fighting is continuing. Earlier the Associated Press reported that Japanese troops were fleeing from Changteh, and had clogged the main Alhasi highway. # Allied aircraft were strafing the fugitives, added independent reports, which confirmed that the Changteh fighting is the severest since Shanghai. A communique issued by Lieutenantgeneral Stilwell states that China-based Liberators bombed the Hanoi railway yards and adjacent warehouses. Fighter-bombers, supporting Chinese troops, attacked four villages on the Sal ween front. The Japanese bombed a forward American air base, but caused only minor damage. Three bombers were shot down and possibly two others. One American plane was lost.