FAR EAST WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 July 1944, Page 5

FAR EAST WAR

CHINESE HOLD HENGYANG.

CHUNGKING, July 18

“Defi’int Chinese are still holding Hengyang in the face of furious enemy assaults, and have thrown themselves against the Japanese at the city’s approaches and penetrated many enemy positions,” says a correspondent of the Associated Press. '“The Japanese broke through to city, but in fierce street fighting were thrown back.

“The Japanese force at Leiyang sustained immense losses and are now showing signs of collapse. Chinese have surrounded an enemy force south of Yungfeng and wiped out a lar.o'e portion of the enemy.” The Chinese smashed a Japanese attempt to relieve the isolated Pitigka garrison, reports a Chinese communique. The enemy began a co-or-dinated attack against the Chinese encircling the village, while the I’ingka garrison simuliuiieousl.v attempted to break throur.li. All the assaults were repttlscil,' and the Japanese withdrew to Mc-iigtiii ion roil os westward?:. Tin- (’hitioso immediately south of 1 .iiiiiflui:: repulsed two courr tor-attacks al 1 .aotiiiiiflio. JAPS. nt'llNf’OllCED. (Reed. 10.55 a.m.) CHUNGKING. July 19. The Japanese are bringing strong reinforcements into the Hengyang battle, which is approaching its climax, said a Chinese spokesman. He added: cannot foretell the outcome. The Japanese who have encircled Hengyang are themselves now partly surrounded. The Chinese still hold the city despite furious assaults. General Stilwell’s communique reports that American fighter-bombers attacked Chafing, east of Hengyang, causing large explosions. American planes also destroyed 15 heavily-laden supply junks in the Slang River. JAP. RETREAT IN BURMA. "RUGBY, July 19. The last Japanese on the Plain of Imphal are falling back southwards clown the Tiddim Road towards the shelter of the Chin Hills, states a South-east Asia communique. The rearguards are blowing up bridges in an attempt to obstruct pursuit. This withdrawal has already progressed beyond Naran Seina, nine miles south of Bishenpur, and leaves no organised Japanese force within 25 miles ol Imphal. In the Palcl sector the enemy arc now 30 miles from Imphal. Their resistance here is stiffer, however, and thev counter-attacked sharply but unsuccessfully after our occupation of positions eight miles east of Palel. South of Ukhrul demoralisation is spreading among the remnants of the 15th and 31st Japanese Divisions. When our troops took Sakok, 17 miles from Ukhrul and west of one of the main enemy escape routes, the Japanese abandoned their transport and fled to the jungle. In Northern Burma an advance ol 200 yards was made in the northern sector at Myitkyina and a unit to the south-east gained 100 yards alongside the Irrawaddy River. The Chindits west and south-west of Pyindaw.met stiffening resistance, but inflicted many casualties. . . On July 18 extensive air activity was carried out against the Japanese from which no Allied aircraft is missing. Lord Mountbatlen has visited Gcncneral Stilwell’s lleackiuarters in Northern Burma, states a New Delhi message. He inspected the Chindits at their own headquarters in the jungle, which itself was the scene of a recent big battle.