CHINESE STILL HOLD CHANGSHA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 230, 30 September 1941, Page 5

CHINESE STILL HOLD CHANGSHA

FIERCE BATTLES RAGE JAPAN CLAIMS TO CONTROL CANTON-HANKOW LINE. (Recd. 8.40 p.m.) Chungking, Sept. 29. The Chinese army spokesman said that Changsha was still in Chinese hands on Sunday night. A few Japanese broke into the city on Saturday night, but were annihilated in bitter street fighting. Japanese troops are being held several miles north of Changsha. The Central Daily News reported that a fierce new battle was started on Saturday, and was continued on Sunday, on the whole of the northern Hunan front. The Chinese do not admit the loss of Changsha. The military spokesman said the Chinese recaptured three crossings on the Milo River, while other forces are attacking Japanese supply lines, rendering the Japanese situation near Changsha precarious.— U.P.A. (Recd. 6.40 p.m.) Shanghai, Sept. 29. The Japanese South China command has announced that the Japanese are advancing into r.orth Kwantung with little Chinese resistance. The Domei news agency states that a successful conclusion to this advance has given the Japanese control of the entire length of the Can-ton-Hankow railway. It is believed that the Japanese are planning the biggest offensive since the fall of Hankow, aimed at severing south China into two sections lying east and west of the Canton-Hankow railway.

The Chungking military spokesman said severe fighting is raging on the outskirts of Changsha, where six Japanese divisions are doing their most to occupy the city. Chinese resistance is continuing.—U.P.A.