CHANGSHA GARRISON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25565, 19 June 1944, Page 6

CHANGSHA GARRISON

DEFENCE AT ALL COSTS NEW JAPANESE THREAT CHUNGKING, (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) June 17. The Chinese High Command disclosed that the Japanese are by-pass-ing Changsha and threatening Lukow, 30 miles to the south. The fall of Lukow would open the way for a Japanese push to Hengyang, where the railway south-west from Kwangsi meets the Canton-Hankow line. The Chinese have recaptured Junan, an important road junction, and the Japanese have taken Suiping, reducing the Chinese-held gap on the PeipingHankow railway to under 45 miles. A Chinese communique reports heavy fighting in the south-east suburbs of Changsha, where the Chinese garrison, obeying Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s orders, is defending the city at all The Changsha garrison has been placed in great danger by the Japanese crossirig of the Liyang River, the last defence line before the city, but there is some hope for the defenders, who haye a chance of escape by crossing from the east to the west bank of the Siang River. General Stilwell’s communique reports that more than 100 planes, including Mitchells, escorted by Thunderbolts and Warhawks, considerably damaged the Wuchang railway freight yards opposite Hankow. Escorting Lightnings on the return flight shot down two and damaged one of eight interceptors. Other planes hit a radio station and troop concentrations north of Changsha. The Chinese on the Salween front captured Chaikungfang, near Tengchung, states a Chinese communique. Japanese reinforcements from Tengchung, forced a crossing of the Shweii River, along the road to Lungling. The Japanese recaptured Hsiangta, south of Lungling. Bad weather prevented air support for the Chinese on the Yunnan front.