FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 November 1943, Page 4

FAR EAST WAR

CHINESE PROGRESS CHUNGKING, November 15. Many strategic points have been recaptured as a result of Chinese attacks on the north bank of the Yangtse, says a Chinese communique. The Chinese have gained appreciable success in assaults on a stronghold north-west of Hankow. Along a■loo-mile front from the Tungting Lake, where 60,000 Japanese swept into China’s rice bowl, see-saw lighting continues. The reinforced Japanese have made some gains and occupied several towns, but the Chinese- are attacking furiously and inflicting Heavy casualties. At the eastern end of the Tungting line, the Chinese have gained some ground. LATER. The Chinese penetrated the Japanese lines at many points on the Yangtse front, advancing to the outskirts of Ichang, where severe fighting is in progress, says the Associated Press. Chinese recaptured . Hokow, in Japanese-occupied Shihmen. Chinese attacked Japanese at Sinyang, dislocating Japanese communications at many nearby places. BOMBINGS IN BURMA RUGBY, November 16. An India communique states: Substantial casualties were inflicted on the enemy in successive attempts on November 13 and 14 to overcome one of our forward posts in the northern area of Chin Hills. Further south, in the area west and north of Falan, our levies are- effectively harassing the enemy, patrols probing into the hills. R.A.F. bombers last night raided the railway junction at Pegu. Bombs burst on railway yards. Large fires started at the station and adjacent warehouses. Fighters yesterday attacked oilfields and installations at Nyaunghla on the Irrawaddy River, and in sweeps over the river shot up 26 river-craft. Another eight craft were damaged in sweeps on Sunday night against river communications in the Akyab area. We lost no aircraft.

(Recd. 11.45) CALCUTTA, Nov. 16. R.A.F. medium and heavy bombers, early to-day, carried out the heaviest and most concentrated attack against Burma since the outbreak of the Eastern war, says an official announcement.

Reuter’s Calcutta correspondent reports that the raid completely shattered the railway station, marshalling yards, and barracks at Pegu, 46 miles north-east of Rangoon. A large number of planes dropped a heavy tonnage of high explosives and started big fires. Heavy clouds made the bombing conditions difficult. SIAMESE REVOLT. CHUNGKING, Nov. 15. The Siamese, aroused by Japanese mistreatment, are now ready to help the Allies expel the Japanese from Siam, says the United Press, quoting Chinese reports from Bangkok. Since March, when serious disturbances broke out, many minor pitched battles have been fought between the peasants and Japanese soldiers. AntiJapanese incidents are occurring daily. Even Premier Songgram now doubts a Japanese victory and discounts Japanese promises, consequently the Japanese recently admonished Songgram for his defeatist attitude. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. LONDON, November 15. The' Berlin radio says that it has been officially announced in Tokio that a second exchange of British and Japanese prisoners may be arranged before the end of the year. Negotiations with Britain are reported to be in progress.