Japs.' Important Capture

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1938, Page 7

Japs.' Important Capture

LONDON, July 26. After three days’ fighting the Japanese have captured Kiukiang, says a message from Shanghai. It is estimated that 200,000 Japanese troops, supported by warships and aircraft, swept over the defences. The Japanese admit that the famous Chinese “God of War” battalion defending the Lion Hill escaped with their batteries. The next objective is the mountain resort of Kuling, which all foreigners have been ordered to evacuate. A Chinese spokesman states that - the Japanese are destroying progressively all villages along the Yangtse. The Domei News Agency, according to a message from Tokio, asserts that 20 Soviet military advisers have replaced the repatriated German officers at Hankow, where 200 Russian air pilots and engineers have arrived. The Japanese War Office states that the fall of Kiukiang means the collapse of the centre of the Chinese eastern line, defending Hankow and connecting the Tapieh range with Nanchang. The Japanese are making crushing attempts to break their communications with east Hukow.