WAR IN ASIA

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1944, Page 5

WAR IN ASIA

CHINA THE KEY U.S. General’s Views [Aust. & N.Z. Press Association] (Rec. 9.40) CHUNGKING, Nov. 23. A Chinese High Command report says: Chinese troops captured Mangshih and cleared long stretches of the Burma Road with the capture of ten more towns in the south of the Mangshih V.aUey. The Chinese Press reports that as a result of a spirited drive by Chinese forces in Yunnan in conjunction with a ChineseAmerican drive down the Ledo Road from north Burma, the China link of the Burma Road is virtually ready to be re-opened to military traffic. The High Command reported that minor fighting has occurred in Kwangsi. Tljre has been no, positional' change in the Hwaitoanchen area 50 miles west of Ljuchow. General Wedemeyer, U.S. Commander in China, said his command would automatically embrace all American sea-borne forces landing in China. He described the new Japanese Commander in China, General Okamura, as an adept in mountain warfare. The Japanese at present were pausing and then consolidating their new positions. They were bringing up new strength before proceeding to their next, stage. Possibly this would be a drive against Chungking. General Wedemeyer said he was favourably impressed with the new Chinese War Minister, General Chencheng, who might accomplish better co-ordination of the Allied war effort.

Marshal Chiang Kai-shek accepted the general concept of a plan for disposing of Chinese forces against the Japanese, and it was now going into effect. General Wedemeyer expressed the opinion the Japanese would not be defeated by island hopping strategy but would have to be ultimately defeated on the Asia Continent. The Japanese were terribly concerned about their over-all position and the Allies would disclose many things in future which would increase the enemy’s concern. Asked if he would transport American troops from! ndia by air, General Wedemeyer replied: "I visualise the employment of all kinds of resources from all directions. We have got to get to grips with the Japanese. We must get a lodgment in China with sea communications. Liberators bombed the docks at Hong Kong and Kowloon on the nights of November 19 and 20. and also at Fort Bayard, where heavy fires were observed, says General Wedemeyer’s communique. Warhawks sank a steamer on the Yangtse River, destroyed rail-ears, trucks and sampans, and strafed Japanese troops. Mitchells bombed and set on fire buildings and barracks at Lashio. Fighters strafed Japanese positions on the Salween front, at Lashio and .Chefang. (Rec. 9.30). WASHINGTON. Nov. 24. Tokio radio reports that 14 Liberator-' and Mitchells heavily bombed the Yangtze River ports of Hankow and Wuchang on Wednesday night. Japanese interceptors and ack-ack batteries battled with the bombers.thus restricting casualties and damage to Chinese residential areas'.