BATTLE NEAR CHANGTEH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25394, 27 November 1943, Page 5

BATTLE NEAR CHANGTEH

JAPANESE ENCIRCLED HEAVY LOSSES SUFFERED CHUNGKING. (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) Nov. 25. Chinese troops completely encircled the newly-strengthened Japanese force outside Changteh after eliminating 5000 enemy troops who penetrated to the outskirts of this north-eastern gateway to Changsha, reports the Associated Press. The Japanese reinforcements, which arrived in the Changteh area on Tuesday, promptly launched a vigorous infantry attack. Several Japanese units reached the outskirts, but all were annihilated. Four high Japanese commanding officers are reported to have been killed in action. Meanwhile Japanese forces attempting to by-pass Changteh to the east to cut the highway to Changsha suffered heavy losses. Japanese planes participated in a severe battle in that sector, and Chinese troops recaptured a strategic point. After cutting the important HunanSzechwan supply route south-west of Changteh, the Japanese drove farther south, but were thrown back with heavy losses. Attacking - the enemy rear from the west, the Chinese recovered more points to the south of the Yangtse River, cutting Japanese communications at several points. Great losses were inflicted on the Japanese around Sinyang, the Japanese base in the South Hunan Province. The Chinese have again charged the Japanese attacking Changteh with using poison gas. General Stilwell’s communique atates: “American medium bombers, supporting Chinese ground forces at Tungting Lake, destroyed a number of landing barges and inflicted casualties oh Japanese cavalry and infantry. Bombers raided Yochow, where ammunition dumps and storage dumps were set on Are.”