Japs. Launch Counter Offensive

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1938, Page 5

Japs. Launch Counter Offensive

(Received 2.30 p.m.) SHANGHAI, May 8,

Chinese and Japanese confirm 'the launching of an extensive Japanese counter-attack, despite tropical storms, on the Hsuchow front.

The Japanese, who claim initial successes, are delivering secondary offensives in Kaingsu Province, and also in Nanking area, resulting in the occupation of Chaohsien.

The Chinese claim that two Japanese detachments' of 4000 to 8000 respectively are encircled between Taierhchwang and Tancheng, and face annihilation.

Chinese are delaying the resumption of their general offensive ‘in the hope that the Japanese artillery will be begged in the mud. Lull in Shantung. Earlier despatches from Hankow state that the' Chinese report a lull in Shantung, while the contestants are massing troops in the Tancheng area, where the Japanese claim minor gains.

The Chinese .continue to maintain guerilla tactics throughout the occupied territories, besides moving heavy artillery to Chihchung, in a hope, of determining the seven days’ desperate battle in the Yunho region in the Chekiang Province. These guns are augmenting the bombardment of the Japanese, who are taking refuge in a castle, surrounded, on three sides and cut off from reinforcements who are desperately attempting to relieve them. Ten thousand Jehol horsemen lay in ambush in the wheat fields of Tancheng, annihilated a Japanese convoy and destroyed its motor transports.