CHINESE ADVANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 August 1942, Page 5

CHINESE ADVANCE

FIGHTING IN CHEKIANG

WITHDRAWAL OF JAPANESE CITIES LOOTED AND SET ON FIRE (Rec. 10.0 a.m.) Rugby, Aug. 27. Chinese troops, says a message from Allahabad, are now closing on Chuhsien, another vital base in Eastern China from which Tokio may be bombed—B.O.W. Allied bombers blasted barracks and supply dumps and started many fires during a heavy raid on Lashio, the main Japanese base in eastern Burma.

The Chinese Army spokesman at Chungking reported that fighting was under way on the outskirts of Chuhsien and Lishui. The correspondent of the United Press of America says the bulk of the Japanese garrisons in both places have been withdrawn leaving skeleton forces to meet the Chinese assaults. The Japanese looted and set fire to the cities before their withdrawals.

American raiders at Lashio shot down two Japanese interceptors and heavily damaged two others. This was the first American raid since 11th August when Yochow Hunan, Nanching and Kiangsi were attacked. The correspondent says the raid followed intelligence reports that the Japanese were concentrating 10,000 shock troops at Lashio for an offensive on Running. A representative of the United Press accompj|nied the raiders. “While the bombers attacked from a high altitude fighters swept the troops in the areas with machine-guns. Military buildings on the aerodrome burst into flames, while the barrack grounds were strewn with Japanese dead and wounded. All the Americans returned safely.—P.A. and 8.0. W.

The spokesman added that besides withdrawals at Chuhsien and Lishui the Japanese forces elsewhere in Chekiang and Kiangsi were retreating northwards, relinquishing their hold on the important inter-provincial railway which they once held for the entire length of 450 miles. However, there was no indication that the withdrawing troops were being sent outside China The Japanese are destroying all towns and villages in the 200-mile wide belt, including the once populous and thriving Shangjao, Kwangfeng, and Kiangshan, which are now masses of rubble.

The Central News Agency says that a policy of wilful destruction and incendiarism have been, ruthlessly carried out everyw ere. Likewise the Japanese are destroying all food supplies and equipment which they are unable Co carry.—P.A.