CHINESE ARMY DRIVES BACK COMMUNIST FORCES IN TWO DAYS OF BATTLES

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1948, Page 5

CHINESE ARMY DRIVES BACK COMMUNIST FORCES IN TWO DAYS OF BATTLES

Tension lifted in the Main Cities (N.Z.P.A. —Reuter) (Bee. 9.30) NANKING, November 14. The claim that the Communist troops have totally collapsed in the vicinity of Jaiichuan, on the railway, east of Hsuchow, was made in a communique by the Chinese National Defence Ministry tonight. The communique said that the Communist casualties totalled fifty thousand in killed and wounded. It stated that Nationalist forces had gained an initial victory in this region on Friday, and had followed it up by further victory on Saturday, and that they had, in all, brought about the collapse of eight Communist columns. The communique also claimed yet another Government success, near Yaowan, on the banks of the Grand Canal, south-east of Janchuan, where six thousand Communists were defeated.

Alleged Use of Poison Gas Recording the Chinese successes, the Defence Ministry communique cays: Tne communists, in the second uactie at the Grand Canal used poison gas. Military observers, while accepting the Government claim to victory, are caution about the Communists' defeat and their withdrawal being regarded as a total collapse. The observers suggest that the retreat of the Communists may, in part, at least, be regarded more as a strategic movement. COMMUNIST ATTACKS ON UIHtK CENTRES The situation in the besieged city of Taiyuan, the capital ot the Shansi province, was reported officially today to be critical. Both of the aerodromes whereon the city has tor weeks been dependent for air-lifteu supplies, are now said to be under lire and not usable. Communists, approaching from the east, are within two miles of the city. Ten thousand Manchurian Communists yesterday began probing attacks about ten miles east of the coalmining centre of Tongshan. The Nationalist command has rushed mechanised units, by rail, to the threatened area. FOOD RIOTS ENDED Shanghai and Nanking have now begun to return to normalcy, with the rice riots ended.