WAR IN CHINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1942, Page 3

WAR IN CHINA

JAPANESE HSING STRONG FORCES OFFENSIVE IN CHEKIANG. AND NEW LANDING NEAR FOOCHOW. LONDON, May 21. Heavy fighting has broken out on the south coast of China in the vicinity of the port of Foochow. Twenty Japanese warships approached the mouth of the Min River and, under cover of a heavy barrage, Japanese troops poured ashore. Severe fighting is now

taking place. Foochow has ..already changed hands twice since the Japanese attacked China. The Japanese took it last April, but were flung out again in September. A Chungking spokesman states that the Japanese are advancing throughout Eastern China. Four Japanese columns of about 80,000 men are converging on the capital of Chekiang Province. In Kiangsu the Japanese are reported to be concentrating 80,000 men near Nanchang, the capital. It is believed that the Japanese are attempting to occupy the road and rail links between the two provinces and so to threaten the Chinese rear.

Japanese aircraft have been active in East China. Two heavy raids arc reported on Hengyuang, an important town on the Hankow-Canton railway. Many bombs burst in parts of the town. Japanese planes have also bombed two towns in Chekiang Province. In Yunnan Province the Chinese are still advancing westward.

HEAVY OPPOSITION OFFERED TO INVADERS. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) CHUNGKING, May 21. The Associated Press of America’s correspondent states that the Chinese High Command announced today that Japanese troops have landed near Foochow and are engaged in heavy fighting with the Chinese defence forces. The invading force arrived fom a dozen transports, which proceeded up the Min River, near Foochow City. The United Press says Chinese coun-ter-attacks have thrown back the enemy southward of Hangchow and Ningpo.