RETAKEN BY CHINESE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1943, Page 4

RETAKEN BY CHINESE

TOWNS FROM WHICH ENEMY ATTACKED CHANGTEH IMPORTANT STRATEGIC AREA CLEARED. ANOTHER AMERICAN AIR Victory. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) CHUNGKING, December 21. The Chinese have recaptured Lihsien. Tingshih, Nanhsien and Ansiang, the four strongpoints from which the Japanese launched their offensive against Changteh. This effectively clears the northern banks of the Tungting Lake and places the Japanese between the lake and the Yangtse River in an extremely precarious position. General Stilwell's communique states that 20 Zeros, escorting 18 medium bombers, attacked the Fourteenth Army Air Force base in Western Hunan on Sunday. American fighters shot down six bombers and three Zeros, probably destroyed two bombers and five Zeros, and damaged five bombers and one Zero. The Americans lost one fighter. ANOTHER TOWN TAKEN CHINESE STILL ADVANCING. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) CHUNGKING, December 21. The Chinese have recaptured Chekiang, it is officially announced. The Chinese have reached the vicinity of Hwajung, between Lake Tungting and the Yangtse, forming the southern anchor of the Japanese drive into China’s Rice Bowl.