ADVANCE IN CHINA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25055, 20 November 1944, Page 6

ADVANCE IN CHINA

JAPANESE DRIVE WEST ALLIED COUNTER-PLANS (Reed. 5,35 p.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 18 The Tokyo radio said the Japanese had occupied Ishan, in China, and were rapidly advancing toward Kweichow Province. Japanese planes were now operating from Liuchow airfield. After capturing Ishan. the Japanese advanced north-west toward Kweichow, says tho Associated Tress. Observers point out that if the Japanese captured Kweiyang tho Burma Road Avould be cut 200 miles from Chungking. General Wedemeyer announced that he had made recommendations —simple and, he hoped, sound —to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek in order to meet the Japanese operations in China, says a Chungking message. "I have been here over two weeks delving into various problems," he said, "and I still have the feeling that tho problems aro not insurmountable."

Ho added that the prospective opening of the Ledo Road and the reopening of the Burma Road would enable the Chinese to receive heavy guns and other equipment that could uot be transported by air. The Japanese position in Northern Burma, lie added, was deteriorating, and when Bhamo fell it would be definitely precarious. He said he was most optimistic regarding the Burma operations. They would definitely contribute to the China theatre; also to the whole position in the Far East.

OIL SUPPLY FOR CHINA PIPELINE FROM CALCUTTA (Reed. 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 10 Details have been given from Southeast Asia Command headquarters about ai\ American project to supply the Chinese with petrol through a pipeline from Calcutta to China. Over 800 miles of this pipeline have already been- laid. The petrol is flowing to filling-stations along its course from Calcutta. It runs in a huge curve from Calcutta up the valley of the Bramaputra through Eastern Bengal. A correspondent says the pipeline is built up from short lengths of piping which can bo manhandled and bolted together with ease. This simplicity of handling allows the work to be done by Indian peasants. Americans are stationed at points along the line, servicing and working at filling-stations. The completion of this line will mean that China will get a petrol tonnage many times that now being flown to her over the mountains from India.

INDIANS AND GREEKS NEW BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP (Reed. 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19 Among the first liberating truops to land in Greece were thousands ot Indians of a famous fighting "division. The Greek Premier, M. Papandreou, said the Greek people welcomed with pride the sons of a nation closely linked with Greece in the heroic days of Alexander the Great. He expressed the hope that new bonds of friendship would be forged between two ancient peoples, the Indians and Greeks, who were linked by a common love of freedom since the dawn of history.

HELLENIC AIR FORCE OPENING OF AIRFIELD (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18 The flag of the Royal Hellenic Air Force was hoisted on Friday on an airfield near Athens in the presence of the Prime Minister, M. Papandreou, and high officers of the three British services, says the British official wireless. Diplomatic representatives were also present. One of the Greek squadrons attending has fought continuously since the German invasion of Greece.

SECURITY OF ATHENS (Rml. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. IS The Greek Government has issued a decree prohibiting the carrying of arms, except by authority, from 6 p.m. today, says a message from Athens. The decree also forbids armed persons from entering proscribed areas in Athens and Piraeus.

BRITISH AIDING TITO FIGHTING IN YUGOSLAVIA (Rccd. 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Noy. 10 British troops of Land Forces Adriatic are fighting in Montenegro and Herzegovina in co-operation with the Yugoslav Army of National Liberation, and are in contact with the enemy, says an official announcement. Their operations are being supported by planes of tbe Balkan Air Force.

GRATITUDE TO FRENCH RESCUE OF BRITISH AIRMEN LONDON, Nov. 18 The gallantry and splendid organisation of the French resistance movements had enabled nearly 2000 British airmen to return homo after they had been forced down in France during the German occupation, stated Sir Archibald Sinclair, Secretary of Air, in the courso of a broadcast to Franee, quoted by the British official wireless. Sir Archibald thanked the French on behalf of the R.A.F. and said that hundreds of other members of the R.A.F. bad hidden until the arrival of the armies of liberation. "The R.A.F. and also the Dominion air forces pay homage to hundreds of French, men and women, whom the Germans shot for giving this aid," he said. "No praise can be too high for them and no words of mine adequate to express our gratitude."