BATTLES IN HUNAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1941, Page 5

BATTLES IN HUNAN

CHANGSHA STILL HELD BY CHINESE JAPANESE WHO BROKE IN ANNIHILATED. BIG OFFENSIVE PLANNED IN KWANTUNG. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON. September 29. The Chinese Army spokesman in Chungking said that Changsha was still in Chinese hands last night. A few Japanese broke into the city on the previous night, but were annihilated in bitter street fighting. The Japanese were being held several miles north of Changsha. The Chungking “Central Daily News” reported that a fierce new battle started on September 27 and was continuing yesterday on the whole of the northern Hunan front. The Japanese South China Command announced in Shanghai that the Japanese- wore advancing into North Kwantung, with little Chinese resistance. The Japanese news agency stated that successful conclusion of this advance has given the Japanese control of the entire length of the CantonHankow railway. It is believed that the Japanese are planning the biggest offensive since the fall of Hankow. This is aimed at severing South west of the Canton-Hankow railway. 20,000 MEN LOST BY THE JAPANESE AT CHANGSHA. ACCORDING TO CHINESE SPOKESMAN. ' (Received This Day. 10.55 a.m.) CHUNGKING. September 29. A Chinese military spokesman claimed that the Japanese lost 20,000 out of 80,000 men in the fight for Changsha, which, he said, was still in Chinese hands. The battle is raging furiously and the Japanese are held up about seven miles away from the city.