SURPRISE ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1939, Page 6

SURPRISE ATTACK

OPENED BY CHINESE

ON JAPANESE FORCES OUTSIDE HONG KONG.

PLANES & HEAVY ARTILLERY USED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) HONG KONG, October 1. Using large numbers of planes and heavy artillery Chinese regulars of the Fourth Route Army launched a severe surprise qtfack before dawn today on the Japanese outside llong Kong. Fighting continued for 12 hours, 300 yards from the British border.

Chinese observers of the fighting claim that the Chinese captured the border village of Shatoukok. Five thousand Chinese are besieging Shumchum, which is held by fifteen hundred Japanese, and three thousand Chinese stormed the Japanese positions outside Namtau. It is claimed that the Chinese line extends for thirty miles outside Hong Kong. The Japanese have been driven into defensive positions and their forces are already divided. CAPTURE. OF POSITIONS CLAIMED BY CHINESE HEADQUARTERS. (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) HONG KONG, October 1. Chinese army headquarters also announce the capture of the Eastern section of the Japanese positions along Hong Kong’s -rtiainland border, after fighting following upon the Chinese surprise attack. FIGHTING CONTINUED IN HONG KONG AREA. JAPANESE REPORTS CHALLENGED. SHANGHAI, October 1. Japanese military dispatches state that the capture of Changsha is expected momentarily. The Japanese claim to be repulsing Chinese attacks adjacent to Hong Kong. The Hong Kong correspondent of the United Press, however, reports that the Chinese were still attacking at 8 p.m. on Sunday. It is believed that the attacks are resigned to relieve pressure on Changsha and forestall a Japanese northward drive along the southern section of the Hankow-Can-ton Railway.