Japanese Retreat Leaving Villages Of China in Ruins

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1942, Page 3

Japanese Retreat Leaving Villages Of China in Ruins

Rec. 7.45 p.m. Chungking, Aug. 27. A Chinese army spokesman reported that fighting is under way on the outskirts of Chuhsien and Lishui. The United Press correspondent says that the bulk of the Japanese garrisons in both places have withdrawn. leaving skeleton forces to meet the Chinese assaults. He stated that besides the withdrawals at Chuhsien and Lishui the Japanese forces elsewhere in Chekiang and Kiangsi are retreating northwards, re linquishing their hold on the important inter-provincial railway which they once held for the entire 450 miles of its length. However, there is no indication of the withdrawing troops being sent outside China. The Japanese are destroying all towns and villages in a 200-mile-wide belt, including the once-populous and thriving Shangjao, Kwangfeng and Kiangshan, which are now masses of rubbie. The Central News agency says a policy of wilful destruction and incendi-rism is ruthlessly carried out everywhere. The Japanese are also destroying all food [ supplies and equipment which they are unable to carry.