FIGHTING IN CHINA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25239, 31 May 1943, Page 3

FIGHTING IN CHINA

JAPANESE BASE BOMBED (Rec. 5 p.xn.) CHUNGKING, May 28. Chinesd bombers, escorted by fighters, greatly damaged military installations at Ichang, the main Japanese base for operations aimed against Chungking, reports the Central News Agency., A Chinese communique state: “Our troops are battling against two Japanese divisions west of Ichang. The Chinese recovered several points west of Lihsien, 75 miles south-east of Ichang.” It is officially announced in Chungking that the Vice-Minister of War, General Chen Cheng,- commands the forces opposing the Japanese offensive in, the Hupeh province. General Cheng for the past two years has concentrated on building up . a strong, free China community in the western Hupeh area, which is strategically the main hulwark of defence for Chungking. The announcement warned that the Japanese'- offensive may only be diversionary tactics. Japan is bound to make desperate attempts to force a show-down in the Far East in the near future, but an offensive against Australia was the most likely development. The Chinese have readjusted their central positions in Hupeh province after severe fighting all along the line, states a Chungking communique. The Japanese advanced north-west of Ichang, ’ but were thrown back in the sector south of the Yangtse with heavy losses. The Chungking National Herald, which is regarded as the mouthpiece of the Chinese Foreign Office, disputes the suggestion that the present Japanese operations are aimed against Chungking. The paper says the Japanese need at least 1,000,000 troops for a multi-headed drive to have a chance of taking Chungking. In spite of the Japanese march towards Chungking, evacuation has not even been considered, says the Chungking correspondent of the New York Herald-Tribune. Experts think that the number of enemy troops engaged along the Yangtse is insufficient for a drive over several hundred miles of mountainous territory. Nevertheless, it may have serious consequences, whatever its goal.