PLANS THWARTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24631, 9 July 1943, Page 3

PLANS THWARTED

JAPANESE IN CHINA CASUALTIES NOW 1,930,639 (Hoed. 8.50 p.m.) LONDON. July 8 Japanese casualties totalled 1,930,639 to the end of June, 1943, said General Ho Ying-chin, Chinese Minister of War and Chief of the General Staff. Only 20,642 had been captured. Reviewing the military situation in the last year, he said that on the China front the Japanese plans to push westward had failed, while the defence of Western Yunnan was as strong as ever. In the recent campaign in Western Hupeh about five divisions of enemy troops were smashed. The enemy forces were deteriorating in quality. As a result of heavy losses the Japanese were facing an acute shortage of manpower, necessitating calling up Koreans, Formosans and Chinese in occupied territory, who had not the slightest interest in lighting lor Japan. The Chinese troops had fought 71 major battles, '2037 minor engagements and 1033 guerilla actions with the Japanese. Kquipment captured included -3 lield guns, 5327 rilles, 181)3 horses ai 'd 31(5 tanks and trucks. A special message to the people of China from President Roosevelt was broadcast to-day to Chungking. The President referred to the "heroic defence of your soil under the leadership of the great Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek," and sent "the heartfelt greetings of your partners, the people of the United States." "Chinese resistance has stirred the imagination of the world," said the Foreign Secretary, .Mr. Anthony Eden, speaking at a "Salute to China" meeting in the Albert Hall on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of Japan's attack on China. Mr. Kden said that the Allied Nations had fixed a grim resolve to teach Japan once and for all that co-prosperity cannot be achieved bv cruelty and oppression, and, that "he who draws the sword shall perish by it." Mr. Eden gave an assurance that the reopening of communications with China remained a "prime Allied objective," and said that in the planning of the post-war world there was no chance of stability in Asia without a strong, united China. Be .added that he bad no doubt about the defeat of Japan, but the Allies had no illusions about the magnitude of the task. BATTLE OF ATLANTIC GERMAN ADMISSION LONDON, July 7 The admission that the Allies at present hold the upper hand in the Battle of the Atlantic, and that they are further developing their defences against U-boats, was made by the naval spokesman, Admiral Luetzow, over the Berlin radio. "It is a hard struggle for our U-boats from the time they leave their bases until they return," he said. "We have increased the numbers and range of our U-boats, but it was realised in 1942 that conditions of fighting were more difficult for ns. The enemy has left nothing untried to increase the protection of his convoys and lias met our counter-strokes with fresh devices. "The enemy has continually increased the number and efficiency of his planes for policing the lanes the convoys are using, thus gradually compressing the area in which U-boats could systematically pursue the attack. Carrier-borne planes now circle the convoys. They drop depth charges and report the positions of U-boats to destroyers. "Our U-boat crews nevertheless are straining every nerve to wrest from the Allies the advantageous position they at present hold in the Atlantic."

KISKA BOMBARDED NO REPLY FROM SHORE WASHINGTON, July 7 A naval bombardment of Kiska, in the Aleutians, is announced in a United States Navy communique. A task force of United States warships bombarded Kiska, hut the shore batteries did not reply.

United States troops by-passed Kiska on May 11 to make a landing on Attn Island, which they subsequently cleared of the enemy. At In was the Japanese supply and reinforcement base for Kiska, which is 196 miles to the east. Before and since the landing on Attn by the Americans Kiska has been frequently bombed from the air. MARTINIQUE'S STATUS diced. 5.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 7 A crowd of 15,000 took possession of the streets of Fort de France, Martinique, for two days recently, shouting "Vive de Gaulle" and singing the "Marseillaise," says the Trinidad correspondent, of the Associated Press. This demonstration is reported to have forced Government action in seeking an agreement with the United States. A member of General Giraud's party in Washington has been appointed to head a mission that will take over tin 1 French West Indies possessions, including Martinique, when the time comes.