NEW OFFENSIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 7

NEW OFFENSIVE

LAUNCHED BY JAPAN WITHERING GUN FIRE TERRIBLE AIR RAIDS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. CopyrlgUt) (Received June 2. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, June i The lIoDg Kong correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the Japanese have launched a new large-scale offensive along the Han River, in the Hupeh Province, apparently directed against the Yangtsekiang treaty port of Ichang, 120 miles distant. In the face of withering machinegun fire engineers sacrificed their live's in constructing pontoons, enabling the Japanese to cross the river at three points. •Simultaneously gunboats landed troops at Lake Tungting, anticipating an attack oil Ichang from the north and south. The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says eighteen Japanese planes bombed Putien, causing havoc in crowded areas. A seaplane landed at Foochow and raked the ferry, killing 32 people and woundjng 80. Many were drowned when they jumped into the river to escape the hail of bullets. Low-flying planes also slaughtered civilians aboard lighters in the Swatow harbour. FIGHTING ON FRONTIER CLAIMS BY MANCHUKUO (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 2, 1 p.m.) TOKIO, June 1 Furthec fighting occurred on the Manehukuo frontier. Japanese planes are re-ported to have attacked Mongols who were massing on the River Hhalha. The Manchukuoan Army claims to have defeated the Mongols in a pitched battle, killing 800 and capturing 12 tanks and numerous guns. The prisoners included a number of Russians.

ARRESTED ENGLISH OFFICER REPRESENTATIONS FOR RELEASE ANOTHER OUTRAGE FEARED •TOY(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 2, i p.m.) LONDON, June 1 It is understood that the Government has made representations to secure the release of LieutenantColonel Spears, who was arrested by the Japanese. The British Embassy at Peking fears that the Japanese also arrested and are holding in solitary confinment a British language officer, Lieutenant Cooper, who went to Lakgan to investigate the Spears’ incident and has not been reported since May 28.