JAP. DRIVE IN CHINA

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1944, Page 5

JAP. DRIVE IN CHINA

CHANGSHA’S PERIL

CHUNGKING, June 16

A Chinese communique states that Chinese on the Salween front captured Chaikungfang, near Tengchung. Japanese reinforcements from Tengchung forced a crossing of the Shweli River along the road to Lungling. The Japanese recaptured Hsiangata, south of Lungling. Bad weather prevented air support for the Chinese on the Yunnan front. The Changsha garrison is placed in great danger by the Japanese crossing the Liyang River, the last defence line before the city, but there is some hope for the defenders- to escape by crossing from the east' to the west bank of the Siang River. The Chinese in Honan recaptured Lingapo, 37 miles eastward of Tungkwan.

AMERICAN AIRMEN

CHUNGKING, June 30

General Stilwell’s/ communique reports that more than 100 planes, including Mitchells, escorted by Thunderbolts and Warhawks, considerably damaged Wuchang railway and freight yards opposite Hankow. Escorting Lightnings on the return flight shot down two and damaged one out of eight interceptors. Other planes hit a radio station, and troop concentrations north of Changsha. Warhawks sweeping over the Laotao River damaged warehouses, boats and installations. Other Warhawks strafed the lake area east of Yiyang, sinking 150 boats. Mitchells night bombed Philochi aerodrome. American bombers sank a Japanese freighter off Hong Kong and damaged another. Three other freighters were damaged at the mouth of the Yangtse River, near Shanghai.