CHINESE SUCCESS

Waikato Times, Volume 131, Issue 21758, 18 June 1942, Page 3

CHINESE SUCCESS

RECAPTURE OF PORT •.United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 18, 11 a.m.) CHUNGKING, June 17 The Chinese counter-attacked and recaptured the Yangtse port of Hosueh 24 hours after the occupation by the Jaapnese. The invaders are in full retreat, reports the Central News Agency. The Chinese abandoned Cnangjao after an all-day battle, in wnich there were 8000 casualties. The loss of Changjao shortens the gap between the two Japanese columns to 50 miles. Town Abandoned The Chinese have abandoned Kwangfeng after a battle which raged all night, says a Chungking communique. There were 1000 Japanese casualties. The enemy continued to advance to the west. The railway gap between the two Japanese columns is now less than 80 miles wide. The Chinese have seized the initiative in the Nancheng region and are storming the city which the Japanese captured recently. Heavy fighting has revived along the middle of the Yangtse River in Hupeh Province. The Japanese have entered Hosueh, where fierce fighting continues. The President of Parliament, Sun Fo, in a speech, said the war had entered an all-important and decisive phase, and that Germany’s fate would be decided between the summer and autumn of 1942. He added that if the European war ended next spring, the war in the Far East would be settled simultaneously. Further, he said, Russia, although neutral regarding Japan, had significantly increased her troops on the Manchurian frontier from 18 to 33 divisions, thereby immobilising 30 Japanese divisions and, consequently, indirectly aiding the United Nations.