THE SHANSI FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 7

THE SHANSI FRONT

SUDDEN CHINESE OFFENSIVE SURPRISE FOR INVADERS CONSIDERABLE GROUND GAINED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON. Jan. 11. The Daily Telegraph’s Hongkong correspondent says:— " After a cessation of snowfalls and rain on the Shansi front, the Chinese threw 60,000 fresh troops in a sudden offensive across the Yellow River from Shansi province. It is claimed that they advanced 20 miles along a 60-mile front in 24 hours. The Japanese were driven back from the flooded river area, the Chinese capturing over 60 towns, including Chihsien and Siangning. The offensive completely surprised the Japanese, who were forced to abandon large quantities of materials.

“ Guerilla activity continues unabated. The Chinese in Shantung are reported to have reached the outskirts of Weihaiwei, and as a result the Japanese have appealed for naval reinforcements. The guerillas are also stated to have complete possession of Shantung Peninsula.

“A mixed force in South China recaptured Sheklung, an important junction on the Canton-Hongkong railway. Chinese during a fortnight recaptured a number of towns, bottling up the Japanese in Canton except for a narrow strip within range of gunboats on the Pearl River.”

CHINESE HEADQUARTERS

RAIDED BY JAPANESE PLANES

SHANGHAI, Jan. 11

Nearly 100 Japanese aeroplanes under cover of a heavy fog, raided Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s Chungking headquarters, claiming that they seriously damaged important military establishments. The Chinese say that no bombs fell inside the city, and that the damage was slight. Military leaders in South China sent a telegram to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek, demanding the immediate execution (for treason) of Wang Chin Wei as the sequel to his peace proposals.