JAPANESE DRIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1942, Page 3

JAPANESE DRIVE

IN EASTERN CHINA “NUT-CRACKER SQUEEZE” SUPPOSED ENEMY OBJECTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 15. The Chungking correspondent of the Associated Press says that two powerful Japanese columns, applying a nut-cracker squeeze on the ill-equipped Chinese, have driven to within 75 miles of the junction on the Nanchang--1 langchow railway. The main objectives of the Japanese offensive are apparently to sever southwest China and to protect Japan’s western flank against air raids. It is also believed that the Japanese are attempting to seize complete control of the railways and highways on the eastern seaboard to provide a direct overland communication route from the Japanese mainland through IndoChina and Thailand to Malaya and Singapore, thus consolidating their six months’ conquests and relieving the strain on the merchant fleet. A Chinese communique states: “On the Chekiang-Kiangsi front heavy fighting is progressing in the ChekiangKiangsi border areas south of Kiangshan, south-west of Yushan, and on the. outskirts of Kwangfeng, 25 miles beyond' the Chekiang border. The Japanese bombed Shangjao. Under cover of aeroplanes and heavy artillery, enemy troops entered Yushan on Friday, and after severe street fighting, the defenders evacuated to predesignated points. “On the Kiangsi front enemy units forced a crossing of the Sin River yesterday after repeated'failures on Friday and Saturday. The Chinese recaptured more strategic points round Anyi and east of Konfangyu and Takangkow.” Striking at the western base of Japan’s Kiangsi-Chekiang offensive, Chinese troops have captured positions across the Kan River from Nanchang.' The Japanese column is still driving along the southward loop of the railway from Nanchang, and the Chinese forces operating in the rear have endangered this advance. The Central China news agency reports that one such force has recaptured Tsungjen. Chinese Army Intelligence reports indicate that Japanese conscription in Formosa is unsatisfactory. Japan is now feeling a heavy strain on her manpower, and the Formosa conscription plan provided for the calling up of 420,000 men, but so far only 1000 have enrolled. CHINA’S NEED PLANES, MOTOR TRANSPORT & ARTILLERY. LONDON, June 15. “In spite of the cutting of the Burma Road, China will go on fighting,” said a Chinese military spokesman today, according to the Calcutta correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” The spokesman said: “We have enough supplies to carry on till the Allies restore the land and sea communications. The war is being won. in American factories, and China is certain of ultimate victory when the enemy’s fire-power is outmatched. “We hope that new supply routes will be available shortly, and meantime as much as possible is being flown. China’s three chief weaknesses at present are the lack of planes, motor transport, and artillery. “We offset the transport and artillery deficiencies by creating roadless areas by flooding hundreds of square miles and making it impassable for motor transport, artillery or tanks. The Japanese, however, have had two years and a half experience of these methods, and they are applying the lesson in Chekiang by moving slowly forward and rebuilding the roads. Our most serious deficiency is in the air. “Knocking out Germany will not shorten the Far Eastern war. Japan must suffer a decisive military defeat.”