CHANGTEH BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1943, Page 3

CHANGTEH BATTLE

CITY NOW SURROUNDED BY JAPANESE BUT CHINESE ENCIRCLING ' ATTACKING FORCES. HOPE OF CUTTING ALL SUPPLY ROUTES. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) CHUNGKING, December 4. The Japanese have completely surrounded Changteh, said the Chinese military spokesman, but the Chinese are gradually ’ completing a counter-encirclement that will close all enemy routes. Meanwhile fierce close-quarter fighting continues within the city. The spokesman predicted “news of a decisive nature, indicating that complete victory is. in our grasp.” The United Press of America correspondent says that if Changteh falls the Japanese will be in a position to drive south toward Changsha or west toward Kweiyang or Chungking. General Stilwell’s communique from Chungking reports that Mitchell bombers rdided Hong Kong and sank a 4000-ton freighter, badly damaged two others, destroyed railway equipmet and buildings and started. three large fires. On their return, the flyers said that 90 per cent of the bombs hit the target area.

Fighter-bombers also attacked targets in French Indo-China and the Salween front and shot down one Zero. One American machine is missing from all operations.