FIGHTING IN CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 June 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING IN CHINA

JAP. LOSSES HEAVY

(Rec. 2.23 p.m.) CHUNGKING, June 4

A communique said the Japanese suffered 4000 casualties attempting to storm Chunsien, and lost 2000 men in a single day of repeated attacks against the point-blank fire of the Chinese artillery at Chuhsien, which the Chinese still hold firmly. The Central News says the Chinese counter-attack directly threatens the Japanese at Kinwha, where the Chinese recaptured two strategic points. The High Command acknowledge that the Japanese captured Kengtung, Shan States, on May 26. The Associated Press said the Japanese had burned Kinwha railway station, indicating their hold is becoming insecure. The Chinese said the Japanese are again using poison gas near Chusien. Chinese dispatches from the Yunnan front said the Japanese suffered 2000 casualties last night on the outskirts of Lunglin and Tengyueh. On the Kiangs! front, the Chinese troops put up such a tenacious resistance near Tsinsien, south-eastward of Nanchang, that the Japanese forces were unable to make further progress. The Chinese launched a flank attack against the Japanese column storming Chowsingshu, in Kwantung, killing more than 2000 Japanese. North-eastward of Tsungfa, the Chinese and Japanese are locked in severe fighting. At. present, fighting is proceeding along the Tapiyo-Han-tien line, where the Chinese have the enemy well under control.

LEADERS TO CONFER.

CHUNGKING, June 4. (Recd. 1 p.m.)

Generals Stillwell and Brereton arrived by plane, for a conference with Chiang Kai Shek. The Chungking newspaper “Takungpao,” in connection with the conferences urged, editorially, the United States to assume greater responsibility for the conduct of the war, and argued that the Allies should launch attacks against Japan on land, sea, and air, in collaboration with China’s war effort.

FOOD FOR PRISONERS.

RUGBY, June 4

The Red Cross and St. John war organisation state that they hope to send 70 tons of urgently-needed drugs and medical supplies to British prisoners of war in the Far East. These are being bought and despatched from South Africa, and it is noped that they will be shipped in one of the “diplomatic ships” due to leave Lourenco Marques, in Portuguese East Africa, for Japan and Shanghai. A delegate of the Red Cross Committee was expected to leave Hong Kong in May, and to inspect conditions in which prisoners of war and other detained persons are living. Hearing that 2000 tons of wheat and oats, and a certain quantity of medical supplies, were available at Hong Kong, the Red Cross and St. John war organisation voted £l7OO to enable these supplies to be taken over for the benefit of prisoners of war and civilian internees in the Far East.

Persons reaching Shanghai recently from Hung Kong state that the conditions at Hong Kong have much improved.