CONVOY AMBUSHED

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1946, Page 8

CONVOY AMBUSHED

AMERICANS ATTACKED BY

CHINESE

COMMUNISTS SUSPECTED

NEW YORK, July 29.

A. United States Marine convoy I ravelling from Tientsin to Peking was ambushed at Tungcho, 22 miles south of Peking, by several hundred armed Chinese wearing blue uniforms similar to those used by the Communists. At least three marines were killed and seven were sent to hospital. The convoy consisted of approximately 25 vehicles, preceded by a jeep mounting a .50 calibre ma-chine-gun. Suddenly as the. convoy slowed down at a Communist road block armed Chinese appeared, from the cornfields on both sides of the road and threw several hand grenades. The marines instantly took cover.

The marines, using hand grenades and machine-guns, forced the Chinese back into the safety of the high corn. The Chinese retaliated . wiih quick-firing guns, which the marines were of the opinion were of the Japanese type. The conflict continued throughout. the afternoon, and many Chinese were killed and wounded. Finally the Chinese raised the white flag, and the Americans were permitted to proceed to Peking, talking their wounded and dead.

There was great bitterness against Communists among the wounded marines, but so far it is not certain whether the attack came from Communists or bandits.