DRIVE IN THE NORTH

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22934, 3 July 1944, Page 5

DRIVE IN THE NORTH

Japanese Open Expected Offensive (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) CHUNGKING, July 1. The Japanese have launched their long-expected offensive north of the Canton area, reports a Chinese communique. The enemy is making an effort to join his forces driving down the Canton-Hankow railway. The general advance to the north began at Kwangtung last Wednesday. Heavy fighting occurred all along the route as the invaders lunged forward to join forces at Hengyang, which is still in Chinese hands. The Associated Press of America points out that fighting evidently is raging within the city. Chungking observers regard the new Japanese drive as designed ultimately to give the enemy good defences along the Asiatic mainland, with the aim of prolonging the war and possibly seeking a compromise peace. A Japanese junction at Hengyang would give the enemy virtually complete control of 1000 miles of railway north and south, thus solving the problem of supplies hitherto dependent on sea lanes, river and overland routes, all open to attack. The Chinese claim to have smashed another attack from Chekiang Province, aimed at supporting the Honan drive, and captured Chuhsien, 25 miles east of the Kaingsi border. The United States 14th Air Force in China in the period July 4, 1942, to May 31, 1944, has taken the following toll of Japanese:—loo4 enemy aircraft destroyed. 464 probably destroyed, and 282 damaged. Of enemy ships:—4l4,939 tons sunk, 1'31.650 tons probably sunk, and 247,900 tons damaged. This does not include 4288 miscellaneous boats of less than 100 feet length sunk or destroyed, 58 miscellaneous boats, 12 naval vessels probably destroyed, 775 miscellaneous boats and 12 naval craft damaged. The United Slates War Department, giving these figures, says that much of the success of the 14th Air Force has been its increasing support to the Chinese ground forces deep in the Interior of China. Major-General J. W. Stilwell’s communique reports ilia I. American Liberators yesterday bombed the docks at Takao, an important Japanese port in South-western Formosa. Chinese and American Warhawks struck at enemy positions at Hengyang. smashing the railway station and startin'!' large fires. They also dropped explosives on the outskirts of Hengyang, destroying several enemy gun non l ions.