RIVER FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1938, Page 8

RIVER FIGHTING

CLAIMS BY BOTH PARTIES IN CHINA Growing Belief that Hankow can be Defended DOZEN JAPANESE WARSHIPS SUNK IN YANGTSE By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) SHANGHAI, June ?2. The Japanese claim that their Yangtse fleet is nearing the Matung boom. Warplanes bombing Chinese positions on the banks, hit a Chinese mine-layer above the boom, causing the vessel to ground. The Chinese claim that they repulsed a Japanese landing at Tungliu, 27 miles from Wuhu. The Yellow River has fallen eighteen inches. The Japanese are parachuting rubber boats, to enable Japanese troops to escape from marooned villages. The Chinese launched an offensive on a broad front in the Shansi area. They declare that they have broken the Japanese line at Lmfeng, 80 miles north of the Yellow River, and are now attempting to occupy the city. Floods at present protect the Chinese flank. Chinese planes have sunk or disabled over a dozen Japanese warships in the Yangtse in the past ten days. , The Chinese Government offices, at present at Hankow, have been instructed to disregard an evacuation order to Chungkiang. This reflects the growing belief that Hankow can be defended.