FALL OF CHUHSIEN

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 5

FALL OF CHUHSIEN

JAPS LOSE HEAVILY U.S. Airmen’s Success (Rec. 10.10) LONDON, June 14. At Chungking a Chinese communique admits the loss of Shuhsien. .

It claims that Chinese forces recaptured Iwu, between Chuhsien and Hangchow. It adds: The Japanese lost at least twenty thousand dead and wounded in th’e assault on Chuhsien.

The American Volunteer Flying Group (Flying Tigers) shot down seven, and possibly eight of eighteen Japanese planes over Kweiling. LONDON, June 12.

The Japanese have now captured Chuhsien, the capital of the Chekiang Province. In the enormous ten-day battle for the city, the Japanese l lost a total of 18.000 men. It is obvious that since the start of the invasion of the Chekiang Province the Japanese were determined at any cost to obtain possession of any air bases in the province from which Japanese cities could be bombed.

INDIAN FRONT. LONDON, June 12. A war correspondent in Assam reports that the Japanese seem content for the time being to work along the Chindwin River in Burma, where at Homalin, bombers from India attacked them. He notes the obvious preparedness of the Indian Army, which, with parts of the army from Burma, is holding positions in the mountain area . '

Tremendous feats of transport have been achieved tp make it possible to support these forces, and Indian drivers with .three-ton trucks have worked almost to a standstill for weeks. Now they are having an easier time, although they continue to maintain incessant stream of

traffic on dangerous roads night and day through 'torrential rains or blinding dust clouds. The lorries move up in an endless .chain, and break-down gangs with mobile workshops and cranes are out o'aily receiving vehicles or “cannibalising,” that is to say, building one good one from two wrecks. In the back area a little railway built to meet modest requirements lof peace, has suddenly had to bear greatly increased goods traffic, and passenger services have had to he relegated. The British Commander, General Irwin, is not waiting inactive. His patrols are out deep into the mountains, gleaning information about enemy movements. The knowledge 'of the great bombing raids on. Germany and the sight of Allied aircraft overhead has cheered those who gallantly fought in Burma with so | little air support.