CHINESE ADVANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20063, 9 October 1939, Page 6

CHINESE ADVANCE

GROUND RETAKEN MOPPING-UP INVADERS JAPANESE ON RETREAT RIVAL TOKIO CLAIMS SUN YAT SEN’S HOME (Elec. TVI. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 9, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 8. The Chungking correspondent of the New York Times says that the defeat of the Japanese forces in North Hunan is hailed as the biggest Chinese victory of the war. The Chinese are continuing a shattering counter offensive against the Japanese, who last week were almost at the gates of Changsha. The Chinese claim to have inflicted 30,000 Japanese casualties in the past few days. The Japanese to the southward of the Mi River have been practically eliminated and are swelling the general retreat to positions north of the Hsin Chiang River. Pingkiang, an important stronghold on the Japanese left flank, is reported to have been recaptured by the Chinese. Three thousand of lits defenders were annihilated. Yingtien, Milo, Hsin. shih, Kvveiyi and Changolochieh were retaken. Quantities of guns and ammunition were captured. Further Chungking messages state that the Chinese claim they are completing mopping up the Japanese at all points southward of the Hsin Chiang River, and. will soon regain all the. territory the Japanese occupied in the recent offensive. A Shanghai message says that the Japanese claim the capture of Chungshan, the birthplace of Sun Yat Sen. A Tokio message says the defeat of 10 Chinese divisions in the Siushui and Kiangsi zones Is claimed by the Japanese. It is claimed that the Chinese lost 0800 killed and 1000 taken prisoner.