FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 June 1942, Page 6

FAR EAST WAR

CHINESE OFFENSIVE. CHUNGKING, June 22. A Chinese official communique states: “On the Chekiang front, the Japanese north-west of Kinhwa sustained losses and are retreating towards Kinhwa under incessant Chinese attacks. The Chinese are, also attacking in the Lungyu and Chuhsien sector. “On the Kiangsi front, heavy fighting continues on the outskirts _of Kwangfeng, near the northern Fukien border, where Japanese reinforcements are battling the Chinese in the surrounding hills. The Japanese effort to close the gap in the Chekiang* Kiangsi railway has made no progress in the last four days. The Chinese are still holding 50 miles of the line.

“On the Honan front Japanese forces from Linhsein are held by fierce Chinese resistance at the foot of Taiheng range.’’ Tire Japanese raided Foochow, capital of Fukien Province, causing some damage, but were driven off. CONTROL OF RAILWAYS. CHUNGKING, June 23. “The Japanese are making a powerful bid for control of railways in East China, hoping to link Shanghai and Singapore by rail, but they have been stopped along vital routes in the Kwangtung and Kiangsi Provinces,” said the Chinese spokesman. The Japanese are using more troops and olanes in Kiangsi than anywhere else. They have even brought up reinforcements from the South Seas. Nevertheless, the 50-mile gap remains. Fighting still rages around Shangjao and Kweiki. The Japanese plan to invade Fukien from Kiangsi has been thwarted. The Japanese have also been stopped in all sectors in Kwangtung. The spokesman appealed for more arms, and declared that Japan’s achievement of rail connection between Singapore and Shanghai was the key to Japan’s successful continuation of the war. He added that the Japanese had taken a number of cities, but our troops are penetrating enemy flanks and rear. Despite the preposterous enemy claims, the battles are anything but decisive. BURMESE TOWNS BOMBED RUGBY, June 23. The R.A.F. again struck hard at Japanese air bases in Burma. A New Delhi communique states: Our bombers made two attacks on Akyab yesterday morning, and later in the day, in the first attack on the town, the aerodrome and the main targets of roads and buildings received direct hits. Another attack was made on the Magwe aerodrome. Despite anti-air-craft fire, hits were scored. In the second attack on Akyab, the town was again bombed.