HENGYANG FALLS

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 5

HENGYANG FALLS

CHINESE TRY TO REGAIN' IT CHUNGKING, August 10. The fall of Hengyang is confirmed in a Chinese communique, which said the fate of the defending Generals is unknown. . The Assoc’ated Press says: Chinese are heavily attacking the Japanese around Hengyang, attempting to recapture the stronghold before the Chinese have time to consolidate. General Chennault’s battle planes are strongly supporting the Chinese. The newspaper, “Nation Herald,” the mouthpiece of the Chinese Foreign Office, predicted that Japanese operations southwards would become a march to the death. A Chinese communique stated: — American anti-aircraft guns manned by the first American units participating in ground fighting in China, have been in action in support of the Chinese attempting to blast the Japanese from the last positions at Sungshan Mountain, west of Junan. Flak batteries were pressed into service as field artillery were hammering the enemy with point-blank fire. Fierce fighting is raging at Tengchung, as the Chinese battle to drive the Japanese from nests in the walls enc’rcling the city. Chinese trooos recaptured Leyang, 30 miles south of Hengyang. General Stilwell in a communique stated:— Liberators . bombed Shanghai and d rect hits were scored in Tungain Lake area. Supply lines and road and river traffic were bombed. Oi 53 intercepting Japanese planes eight were shot down and probably 11 damaged. AH the American aircraft returned to their bases. .