WAR IN CHINA

Grey River Argus, 4 July 1944, Page 5

WAR IN CHINA

ENEMY IN HENGYANG

New Japanese Moves

LAus. & N.Z. Press Assn J CHUNGKING, J’uly 2,

Japanese planes have rained incendiaries on Hengyang, but the defenders are holding out, says a Chinese communique. The enemy’s land attack has diminished. Special planes are being used to evacuate Americans and other foreigners from Kweilin south-west-ward due to the double threat from the Japanese driving northward and southward along the Hankow-Canton railway. The communique states that the reinforced enemy suffered considerable casualties in numerous unsuccessful attacks in the Lungfing area. Chinese troops are organ.sing for an attack against the neavilyfortified Tengchung area. (Rec. 7.55.) CHUNGKING,■ July 2. Both American and Japanese planes attacked Hengyang on Monday. The Japanese ’planes dropped incendiaries. Mitchells bombed runways and field installations. It was the third report of an American bombing raid on Hengyang. Possibly this indicates deep Japanese penetration into the town. ‘ . 1 The Japanese drive at Kwangtung is apparently gaining momentum. It is aimed at Singuun, forty miles north-westward of Canton. One Japanese wing, eastward of the CantonHankow railway, is driving northwar a in two columns against Chinese bases at Tsungfa, thirty-three miles northward of Canton, and Lungmoon, 7U miles northward of Canton. T'he Chinese Command has also announced! that the enemy is attacking positions south-westward and southeastward of Tsingyun. Two Japanese landings were 0111cially reported yesterday on the east coast of Fukien Province, evidently aimed at Foochow, on the south coast of Kwangtung. The Chinese claim that more than six hundred enemy dead wer-e counted in the south-western suburbs of Hengyang. ' The Japanese attempting to cross from the east to the west bank of the Siang River, were attacked by ’planes and land forces, losing all their junks. General Stilwell’s communique reports widespread American air activity in Honan troop-carrying boats, compounds, installations and troop concentrations forming the targets.