FAR EAST

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1942, Page 6

FAR EAST

JAPANESE DRIVE. CHUNGKING. June 17. The Chinese abandoned Kwang Leng (near the Kwangsi-Chekiang border) after a battle lasting all night, in which the Japanese suffered 1000 casualties. The Japanese continued their advance westward. The Chinese have seized the initiative in tne Nancheng region, and are now storming the city, which the Japanese captured recently. Heavy fighting has revived along the middle Yangtse river, in Hupeh Province. The Japanese have entered Hosueh, where fierce fighting continues. A Chinese spokesman called , urgently for an immediate big offensive in the Pacific, while the Chinesefought with dogged fury to prevent the Japanese pincers movement closing on the Chekiang railway. He emShasised the urgency of not allowing re Japanese to rest. He added that if Japan was regarded complacently she might become the most difficult Axis Power to defeat. HOSUEH RECAPTURED.

(Recd. noon) CHUNGKING, June 17. The Chinese counter-attacked and recaptured Port Hosueh, 24 hours after its occupation by the Japanese. The invaders are in full retreat, reports the Central News Agency. The Chinese have abandoned Shangjao, after a battle lasting all day, in which there were 8000 casualties. The loss of Shangjao shortens the gap between the two Japanese columns to 50 miles.