DRIVE IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24302, 17 June 1942, Page 4

DRIVE IN CHINA

[JAPANESE PROGRESS STRUGGLE FOR RAILWAY CHINESE CONFIDENT "WILL GO ON FIGHTING tßy Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright XRecd. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 16 Striking at the western base of Japan's Kiangsi-Chekiang offensive, Chinese troops captured positions across the Kan River from Nanchang, says a Chungking message. Driving along the southward loop of the railway from Nanchang, the Japanese column reached a position 100 miles toward Nancheng. The Chinese forces operating in the rear endangered this advance. The Central News reported that one such force has recaptured Tsungjen. An earlier communique from Chungking said that on the Chekiang-Kiangsi front heavy fighting was progressing along the border areas south of Kiangshan, south-west of Yushan, and on the outskirts of Kwangfeng, 25 miles beyond the Chekiang border. The Japanese bombed Shangjao. Under the cover of planes and heavy artillery, enemy troops entered Yushan on June 12 after severe street fighting. The defenders evacuated to already-arranged points.

Chinese Capture Strategic Points On the Kiangsi front, enemy units forced a crossing over the Sin River on June 14, after repeated failures on June 12 and 13. The Chinese recaptured more strategic points around Anyi and east of Konfangju and Takangkow. Two powerful Japanese columns are applying a nut-cracker squeeze on the ill-equipped Chinese, who have been driven to within 75 miles of the junction of the Nanchang-Hangchow railway, says an Associated Press correspondent. The main objectives of the Japanese offensive are apparently to sever South-West China and to protect •the western flank of the Japanese against air raids. It is also believed that the Japanese ®re attempting to seize complete control of the railways and highways of the ©astern seaboard to provide & direct overland communication route from the Japanese mainland through IndoChina and Thailand toward Malaya and Singapore, thus consolidating their eix months' conquest and relieving the strain on the merchant fleet. Supplies Flown to China "In spite of the cutting of the Burma Road, China will go on fighting," said & Chinese military spokesman, according to the Calcutta correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. The spokesman said: "We have enough supplies to carry on until the Allies restore the land and sea communications. The war is being won in American factories. China is certain of ultimate victory when the enemy's fire-power is outmatched. We hope new supply routes will be available shortly. "In the meantime, as much material as possible is being flown to China. Our three chief weaknesses, at present, are a lack of planes, motor transport and artillery. We have offset the transport and artillery deficiencies by the creation of roadless areas, by flooding hundreds of square miles, making such areas impassable for motor transport, artillery or tanks.

"The Japanese, however, have had two and a-half years' experience of these methods, and they are applying the lesson in Chekiang by moving slowly forward, rebuilding the roads. Our most serious deficiency is in the air. "Knocking- out Germany will not shorten the Far Eastern war. Japan must suffer a decisive military defeat."

STRENGTH OF GIANT [UNITED STATES PRODUCTION BRITISH SHIPPING OUTPUT LONDON. June 16 Viscount Halifax, the British Ambassador to the United States, in a statement,' said the American people were developing their giant strength on a scale and at a speed that was truly etaggering. "The American giant is now truly wide awake," he added. "The enemy does not know when and where he will be attacked. He may struggle to delay the day, but he cannot hope to prevent it." Speaking in Ottawa, .Mr. Oliver Lyttelton, Minister of Production said that North America could now be looked upon as a single war production unit. Production expectations of munitions from Canada had been exceeded, and in terms of money Canada's production this year would be twice that of last year. The future would bring double or treble the. present output. "I am confident that the combined production of Britain and the United States in airqj-aft far exceeds that of the Axis." said Mr. Lyttelton. "When the opportunity arrives Lieutenant-General McNaughton, commander of the Canadian forces in Britain, and his men will write a page of history of which Canada and Britain may well be proud." The Daily Telegraph points out that Britain's own contribution is playing a big part. British shipyards have increased their output of merchant tonnage to 57 per cent above that of the last quarter of 1940. which was then believed to be the limit of their capacity. The paper also says that both the United States and England are sending Russia increased supplies. ANTI-RATION MARCH j j£Eecd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, June 16 Superblv-dressed mannequins and salesmen in black morning coats and Btriped trousers, floor managers, sales girls, owners and managers of big stores and workers from clothing factories paraded Dublin in what must have been the best-dressed and most-dignified etrike march that has ever taken place. They were protesting against the severity of the clothes rationing scheme. Some magnates looked self-conscious as they trod the streets in a stately fashion, carrying beautifully-rolled umbrellas, under such slogans as: "Revoke the rationing; we have a right to live." ' The Minister of Supply, Mr. Sean Lemess, met the march and promised to establish an advisory committee.

DEATH OF SPORTSMEN '{Herd. 10.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 16 The deaths of three prominent racing men are announced. The most outstanding is Mr. J. J. Hacket, who was the leader of the betting rings in Australia. who died to-day at the age of 79. Few men in the bookmaking profession earned greater respect or had more colourful careers. Mr. F. A. Moses, well-known owner-breeder of racehorses at Arrowfield Stud, died yesterday. He was the owner of the Cup winner Poitrel, who was one of the few horses to heat Gloaming at weight-for-age. The deaih has also occurred of Mr. John Mayo, former owner of Fortune Hunter and other prominent Australian racehorses in the early part of the century.