MAJOR BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1938, Page 5

MAJOR BATTLE

ATTEMPT TO STEM DRIVE ON HANKOW CHINESE COUNTER-ATTACKS SUCCEED JAPANESE HURRYING UP REINFORCEMENTS By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. HANKOW, July 30. A major engagement .has developed on the south bank of the Yangtse River, involving the main body of the Chinese, between Hankow and Kiukiang. The Japanese captured Tahu on July 29, but the Chinese claim to be entrenched on the hills, and barring further progress. The Japanese are hurrying reinforcements to check the successful Chinese counter-attacks which have captured five strong points on the Kiu-kiang-Pengtseh front. Foreigners of all nationalities have enrolled under the command of the British police officer at Hankow to protect the foreign concessions. ■lt is reliably stated that General Chiang Kai-Shek has avoided a rupture with the Communists by agreeing to defend Hankow as long as possible instead of withdrawing his central troops at the first appearance of the Japanese. The following cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul at Wellington from Hankow:— “Severe fighting continues in the vicinity of Kiukiang. Fierce fighting has also started on the northern bank of the Yangtse River. Lately the enemy has been heavily reinforced at Chienshan and are advancing westward by way of Taihu. “Yesterday morning, after firing more than 1000 shells at our positions, 2000 . enemy infantry endeavoured to storm our lines, but were repulsed at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The enemy sustained heavy casualties. It appears they intend to make further assaults on our positions. ' “In the south of Shansi, we killed more than 20,000 of the enemy as a result of desperate fighting lasting over 10 days. The enemy troops have now exacuated their positions from Chuwu to YuanchU, and are retiring in an easterly direction. “In Shantung, the strength of our mobile troops has increased considerably. Apart from several positions on the railway which are in occupation of the enemy, more than 60 districts, practically the whole of the province, are still under our administration.”