ASSAULT ON KINHWA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 May 1942, Page 3

ASSAULT ON KINHWA

HEAVY JAPANESE FORCES THROWN IN FATE OF CITY UNCERTAIN AT MOMENT. HEAVY LAND & AIR FIGHTING IN CHEKIANG. LONDON, May 27. Fighting is now raging on three sides of Kinhwa, the capital of Chekiang. The Japanese are throwing in new reinforcements in a second attempt to capture the city. The present strength of the besieging army is put at 100,000. Some of the Japanese columns are reported to be making fresh assaults from positions only a few miles from Kinhwa. Scores of bombers and fighters are taking part. A Chungking communique states that Chinese forces are at the moment holding their ground. (This follows on a report received earlier which stated that: “The enormous Japanese forces invading the eastern Chinese province of Chekiang have succeeded in their second attempt to capture Kinhwa. Very heavy fighting is still going on in the area.” The actual position reached awaits clarification.) . Chungking reports that another 1000 Japanese were killed or wounded northward of Lanchi, which is 45 miles northward of Kinhwa, when a speedy Chinese column attacked from the rear. Chinese field artillery played an important part in the defence of Kinhwa, preventing the Japanese going into action.

DEFENCE OF YUNNAN

AMERICAN AIR ATTACKS ON ENEMY BASES. JAPANESE CONCENTRATING MECHANISED FORCES. LONDON, May 27. Big Japanese mechanised forces are reported to be concentrating on the Burma frontier. The American Volunteer Group is attacking Japanese bases in this area'.