SURPRISE ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 January 1939, Page 5

SURPRISE ATTACKS

JAPANESE THROWN BACK IN NORTH & SOUTH

CHINESE OPEN OFFENSIVE IN SHANSI. TOWNS IN CANTON REGION CAPTURED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON. January 11. The Hong Kong correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that after the cessation of falls of snow and rain on the Shansi front, the Chinese threw in 60,000 fresh troops and launched a sudden offensive across the Yellow River from Shansi Province. It is claimed that they advanced 20 miles along a 60-mile front in 24 hours. The Japanese were driven back from the flooded river area, the Chinese capturing more than 60 towns, including Chichsien and Siangning. The offensive completely surprised the Japanese, who were forced to abandon large quantities of materials. Guerrilla activity is unabated. The Chinese in Shantung are reported to have reached the outskirts of Wei-Hei-Wei, as a result of which the Japanese have appealed for naval reinforcements.

Guerrillas are also stated to be in complete possession of the Shantung Peninsula. A mixed force in South China has recaptured Sheklung, an important junction on the Canton-Hong Kong railway. The Chinese, during the past fortnight, have recaptured a number of towns, bottling up the Japanese in Canton except for a narrow strip within the range of gunboats on the Pearl River.