CHINESE STORM NANCHANG

Southland Times, Issue 24837, 1 September 1942, Page 5

CHINESE STORM NANCHANG

CHUNGKING, August 30. The Chinese High Command states that Chinese legions are storming the suburbs of Nanchang, which is the main Japanese base in Kiangsi Province. Another message reports that, following the capture of Chuhsien and Lishui, the Chinese launched a vigorous new offensive 40 miles north of Canton along the Canton-Hankow railway. The Central News Agency reports that the Chinese have already captured Pakong, Kweitouling and Nangchaungau and are pursuing the Japanese, who are still retreating. The Chinese reoccupation of Lieutang, Chuhsien and Tsindien has steadily widened the section of the ChekiangKiangsi railway already recovered and has brought the Chinese closer to Nanchang. It is estimated that the Japanese withdrawals in Chekiang and Kiangsi Provinces have already embraced over 10,000 square miles, which the Japanese have systematically looted. The inhabitants are suffering great hardships. It is believed that the airfields at Chuhsien and Lishui will require several months to repair as the Japanese have destroyed all installaTokyo official radio has admitted that the Japanese forces are abandon-

ing the entire field of operations m Chekiang and Kiangsi “having completely mastered the enemy.” American bombers on Friday made a third raid on Japanese bases which could be used for an enemy invasion of Yunnan Province. They bombed the Hanoi-Laokai railway and also ammunition and fuel dumps in Indo-China. The Americans bombed Haiphong on. Saturday and Lashio on Thursday in an attempt to break up Japanese concentrations and destroy invasion supplies. It is announced from New Delhi that the Royal Air Force bombed Magwe in Burma on Friday, starting fires at several places. All the planes returned safely.