Chinese Frustrate With Fierce Fighting

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 64, 17 March 1938, Page 7

Chinese Frustrate With Fierce Fighting

COMMUNICATIONS AFFECTED LONDON, March 15. Chinese message* indicate that th« Japanese cause is not prospering eithei •n Shansi or Three thousand Ja panese fiercoly attacked Chinese positions on thf west bank of the Yellov river, opposite Hokow. north-wes: Shansi, forced a passage into Shens: and occupied Matikoi, but the majoritj were flung back to Hokow. The Chinese occupied Kolanchow, 3C miles south-east of Hokow, threatening the Japanese rear. The Japanese are withdrawing from Houma towards Linfen, south Shansi There is fierce fighting with heavy casualties at other points lower down tht yellow river with varying fortunes. 11 is claimed that the Japanese attempts to occupy the north-western corner ot Shansi have been frustrated. A Shanghai Japanese spokesman admitted the Japanese repulse from Shensi, indicating that the westward drive had been abandoned. Chinese divisions maintain a stubborn resistance in order to exhaust the Japanese, who are merely holding lines ol communication. The Japanese in east Shansi are practically cut off from their supply base as a result of a Chinese offensive along the north Honan section of the Peking-Hankow railway. The Chinese are causing havoc to Japanese communications on the Shanghai-Hang-chow raialway after recapturing the districts of Chuansha, Nanhwai and Feinghsien. A Tokio message says that the Japanese are firing on the Lunghal railway, China's arterial east-and-west line, nt three points. Traffic is dislocated and the damage extensive. The Japanese are driving south across the Tientsin-Pukow railway and have occupied Chienho, 75 miles north of ths Lunghal railway junction. The British United Press Shanghai correspondent says the Japanese spokesman admitted the Japanese repulse from •Shensi and indicated that the westward drive had been abandoned.