TOWN OF NANCHENG

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 May 1943, Page 3

TOWN OF NANCHENG

CAPTURED BV JAPANESE HEAVY LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. DURING STREET FIGHTING. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) CHUNGKING, May 9. The Chinese killed and wounded 200 Japanese and destroyed four steam launches in repulsing fresh attempts to land on the south shore of Lake Tungting, in Hunan Province, but the Japanese captured the town of Nancheng, to the west of the lake. Observers say that the operations appear to be designed to cut communications, despoil ripening crops, and disperse Chinese concentrations. The Jap‘anese are also possibly contemplating a new drive against Changsha, the provincial capital, which the Japanese have reached three times, but were unable to hold. Today’s Chinese communique states: “Between 40 and 50 steam launches, laden with Japanese troops, approached Yen Tsen-chow, which is the northern suburb of Yuan Kiang. The Chinese, in driving off landing attempts destroyed four and damaged six of the launches? The remaining launches fled. The Japanese renewed their offensive and broke into Nancheng. There were heavy losses on both sides during street fighting. Fighting continues in the vicinity.’’