CHINA’S PERIL

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1944, Page 6

CHINA’S PERIL

JAPS. TAKE HENGSHAN.

CHUNGKING, June 24. Hengshan, the last important Chinese stronghold before Hengyang, has probably fallen, it was indicated in a Chungking communique to-day. Fighting is proceeding along the Siang River about 20 miles north-north-east and fighting is raging four and a half miles to the sopth, 12 miles south-east of Hengshan. Possibly the Japanese intend to by-pass Hengyang. Six Japanese divisions (approximately 120,000 troops) are engaged in this all-out drive aimed at dividing China and capturing the entire Can-ton-Hankow railway. JAP. FURTHER PROGRESS (Rec. 11 a.m.) CHUNGKING, June 25. Severe fighting is going on in the outer defences of Hengyang, says a Chinese communique. The Japanese took Leichishih and Wuchi, crossed the Mi River, and attacked areas about six miles north-east and nine miles east of Hengyang. One enemy detachment crossed the Lai River, driving westward to attack an area about four miles east of Hengyang. The Japanese captured Pingsiang about 100 miles north-east of Hengyang, and are also attacking in the vicinity of Siang Siang, 60 miles nortn of the city.

JAPS. USE GAS.

CHUNGKING, June 25. The Japanese have used mustard gas shells for the third time in a little over a week, says a Chinese communique. They fired them against Hengyang’s outer defences, yesterday. American liaison officers photographed the gas victims. The Japanese had previously used gas against Ninghaiang on June 16 and Changsha on June 17.

BURMESE OPERATIONS.

LONDON, June 25.

British and Chinese troops have fought their way into Mogaung in upper Burma and heavy fighting is continuing in the town. Uhindits broke through the outer defences. Earlier, a Chungking communique said there was heavy fighting on the outskirts of Mogaung, where the besieged Japanese suffered at least a further 550 casualties. Chinese stormed another hill village westward of Mogaung and occupied the rifle range at the western end of Myitkyina, where the Japanese are still resisting the ceaseless pressure ot Allied troops. Americans attacking from the north made a 300 yards advance. Japanese, retreating in Assam, have been utterly disorganised by the vapidity of the Allied advance in the Kohima-Imphal area, and the destruction of their 15th and 31st Divisions has become a slaughter.