JAPS. THWARTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20837, 16 July 1942, Page 5

JAPS. THWARTED

DRIVE ON RAILWAYS CHINESE COUNTER BLOWS INVADERS PUSHED BACK (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (2.40 p.m.) CHUNGKING, July 14. A Chinese counter-offensive in the Kiangsi province has pushed the Japanese back in Linchwan. The Japanese garrison there is encircled. There were at least 700 Japanese casualties in a battle at the city’s approaches. The fight for Linchwan is an extension of the battle in which the Chinese entrapped 30,000 Japanese troops around Changshu, 30 miles westward of Linchwan. The success of the Chinese counteroffensive has temporarily thwarted the Japanese plan to push westward from Nanchang along the NanchangChangsha railroad. The China Central News reported that Chinese guerrillas, who have been active throughout the summer on Hainan Island, are operating from the mountains against shore - based Japanese. An aerial bombardment failed to drive out the guerrillas. The Associated Press says that Japanese columns, plunging south through the heart of Chekiang provincer have reached Wenchow. Elsewhere the Chinese have the enemy on the run, particularly in the Kiangsi province, where the Japanese have been hurled back to the outskirts of Linchwan, pursued by three Chinese columns. , „ On the Shansi-Honan front, the Chinese killed 800 Japanese when they surrounded Linchwan. The remainder of the enemy garrison are in flight towards Tsingkao.