SMASHING GAINS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21112, 4 June 1943, Page 3

SMASHING GAINS

CHINESE IN YANGTSE 30,000 ENEMY CASUALTIES MANY TOWNS RETAKEN (10 a.m.) LONDON, June 3. The Chinese counter-offensive has made further smashing gains. All the Japanese remnants surrounded in the sector of the Hupeh Province front south of the Yangtse River have been wiped out, says the Associated Press. The Chinese have recaptured Changvniig, 12 miles south of Joining, and occupied Chihekang, 35 miles below Tclinng. A number of points north-east have also been recaptured. The Chinese spokesman revealed that the Japanese offensive in central China cost them over 30,000 casualties during the past fortnight. He added that the Chinese continue io inflict staggering losses on the trapped enemy remnants in the middle of the. Yangtse Valley. A further 5000 Japanese were killed during May in .unsuccessful attacks against guerrillas in the south Shantung province. Chinese bombers, escorted by fighters , attacked the Japanese supply routes in the Yangtze Valley, near Ichang, yesterday morning, as the enemy continued to retreat on the southern Hupeh Province, states an official announcement from Chungking. Tons of bombs were rained on enemy communications with telling' efTect. No fighter opposition was encountered.

Chinese fighters again carried out offensive patrols over the Yangtze Valley yesterday afternoon without sighting enemy planes. All the Chinese operations were conducted without loss.