JAPS AMBUSHED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 162, 13 July 1942, Page 5

JAPS AMBUSHED

SIGNIFICANT GAINS BY CHINESE FIGHTING FLARES UP (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Recd. 7 p.m.) Chungking, July 11. A Japanese force of 30,000 was ambushed and beaten back in heavy fighting in the Kiangsi province, the first fruits of which was the recapture of Nancheng, Ihwang and Poyang The Chinese gains were even more significant with the recapture of Tsungjen, where the Japanese were driven south toward the Kwantung province, and of Changsu, where the Japanese were reaching the KiangsiHunan railway. The Chinese High Command said that fighting also flared anew in the Chekiang province, where the Japanese, with 10,000 reinforcements, struck southwards from Li Hui. Allied bombers attacked Nanchang, sank transport in the river and destroyed 10 Japanese planes on the ground.

The official Japanese radio says that Japanese forces have driven "southeastwards along the Uu River towards Wenchow, in the Chekiang province, occupied Tsingtien, and captured Wen-hsic-hieh, 15 miles from Wenchow. FORCED ON DEFENSIVE JAPANESE IN THE AIR Chungking. July 10. The Japanese have already been forced on the defensive in the air and the Americans would be flying bombers over Japan shortly,' said Brigadier-General Chennault, commander of the United States Air Force in China. The turning point in the air operations, reached with the. bombing of Japanese bases, would be greatly intensified. Brigadier Chennault predicted that growing United States air power, counled with Allied air forces, would eventually destroy Japanese air power. REPLY TO MR. CHURCHILL Rugby, July 10. Marshal Chiang Kai-shek has sent a reply to Mr. Churchill’s message dispatched on the fifth anniversary of the war in China, in which he states that the battlefronts against aggression throughout the world are parts of the same war. The Allies had many difficulties to overcome, but they were certain of ultimate victory, he said. Marshal Chiang asked Mr. Churchill to convey to British soldiers and civilians the respects and kind regards of the entire Chinese army.—B.O.W. ENEMY PURSUED JAP HEADQUARTERS BOMBED (Recd. 9 p.m.) Chungking. July 12. The Chinese, pursuing the enemy towards Nanchang and Linchwan, occupied four strategic points. General Stillwell’s headquarters announced that Allied planes bombed Japanese headquarters at Linchwan and Liangsi with satisfactory results. Two planes have not returned. The Japanese succeeded in crossing Kwangsin River at Shangjao. Vicious fighting is raging in the suburbs of Tsingtien, Chekiang.

The Central News says Japanese planes attacked Nan ping and Pudheng in northern Fukien. The damage was insignificant.