1938-04-27 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, APRIL 27, 1938.

Page

JAPANESE DEFLECTED FROM MAIN OBJECTIVE Chinese Summary Of Shantung Situation

Four Divisions Massed To Meet

New Threat

Hankow, To-day.

THREAT TO BANK OF CHINA

RIGHT FLANK

Hankow, To-day.

A threat to the right

LOSES SILVER

of the Chinese forces at Taier-IN LONDON

chwang, and the start of the push on Hsuchowiu by the J2- panese, are the latest develop-` ments on the Tientsin-Pukow

Chinese are fighting desperate- ly to improve their position.

The menace to the Chinese right at Taierchwang followed the success of the Japanese în breaking through the Chinese positions south-east of Yihsien

The Chinese line in this sec tor runs diagonally from Lan-

Most important feature of the present strategical Railway front, where the

situation on the south Shantung front, accord- ing to Chinese headquarters here, is the fact that the advancing Japanese have been deffect- ed from their objective — the railway junction of Hsuchow, south-west of the Grand Canal. Since the line Yihsien-Taierchwang-Pihsien has in the vicinity of Hsiaowang.

been rendered almost impregnable by the Chi- nese by construction of extremely strong forti- fications, the Japanese are now attacking the Chinese line some 100 kilometres further east. It is pointed out, however, that the Chinese have concentrated strong reserves in this sector, so that the total strength of the troops available for defence of this region is now roughly four divisions.

Chinese H. Q. believe that the Je-to despatch further troops te panese will shortly begin major China, since their troops at pre operations on the Tientsin-Puko Railway.

Repeated Japanese attempts to throw strong forces across the

sent in China are completely un- able to cope with the situation tha has arisen.Trans-Ocean.

ENCIRCLING PLAN

Shanghai, To-day. Japanese troop. movements from

Hwai River for an advance in northerly direction, it is stated, were obviously made with 2 view to supporting the operations of the Yihsien and Tancheng indicate Japanese troops in the Hsuchow sector.

that they are hoping to encircle Taierchwang from the north-easi and north-west.

GUERILLA ACTIVITY Withdrawal of Japanese troop. Extremely fierce fighting is con- from the provinces of Shansi and tinuing north of Taierchwang, the Hopei, where the garrisons have Japanese throwing every available been zimost completely denuded o soldier into the battle. The troops, has resulted in intensifica-Chinese are, however, holding tion of guerilla operations in th and there has been little positional two provinces, and Chinese irregu change during the past 48 hours lars are said to have extended the Japanese reports claim that field of their operations to the re-their troops are within striking gion west of Peiping.

distance of Taierchwang. This is, It is declared here that the Ja-however, denied in Chinese quar- panese therefore will be compelled ters-Our Own Correspondent.

Terrific Barrage As Prelude To Fresh Japanese Attack

Hankow, To-day. After the preparatory artillery bombardment had been continued for several hours during which, according to Chinese estimates about 5,000 shells were fired, the Japanese began a further heavy offensive yesterday, under protection of 20 tanks advancing from north and northwest on the strong fortified Chinese positions north of the intersection of the Grand Canal and the Lunghai railway.

The Chinese immediately rush fighting was indecisive. In Tan- ed fresh reinforcements to the posi-cheng itself, the Japanese troops tions and, according to Chinese re- "cleaning up," had to fight desper ports, the Japanese did not succeed ately the whole day. In the Yib until last right in taking any posi- sien sector, heavy fighting took tions

place. yesterday for the possession

On the east wing of the Chinese of the branch line of Yihzien-Tai front, where Japanese troops took erchwang but no final decision- Tancheng yesterday morning, the could be reached-Trans-Ocean.

chentien through Changsi and Tingchiachiao to Taierchwang

One Japanese columnat Huangchwang attacked the Chinese positions at Hanchiao yesterday, but were repulsed, state the Chinese military au-

thorities.

.

TENGESIEN CLASH -

Severe fighting is progress- ing in the vicinity of Teng- hsien, north of Lincheng, where Chinese units are re ported to be actively engaging the Japanese troops.

It is said that the Japanese troops driving north are divid- ed into two columns, one mov- ing along the southern section. of the T.P.R., including, first- ly, the forces landed at Nan- tung, on the south bank of the Yangise opposite Shanghai last month, who are driving north along the "coast and have reached Tungtai, and are now said to be moving on Yen-

+

SAFETY

܀

and

London, To-day.

About 6,000 Chinese dollars are reported to be missing from the free trade wharf at Stepney.

The dollars, packed in boxes; were awaiting shipment to Ameri- ca as deposit for foreign credit. The money was missed when a check was taken of the boxes, which had been stored on the wharf for some weeks.

Scotland Yard detectives are at- tempting to solve the mystery of the disappearance.

It is believed that the theft went on systematically over a period of several days.

The Bank of China has been în- formed-Reuter.

chžena..

which

PENGPU THREAT Secondly, the forces advanced north along the Grand Canal, reached Shaopen, and at present are advancing in the direction of Ksoya,

Thirdly, about 20,000 troops at Pengpü who recently cross- ́ed the Hwai River and are now pushing up the TPR in the direction of Nansuchow, south of Hsuchowfu, and,

Fourthly, about 700 troops at Hwaiyuan, west of Peng- pu--Reuter.

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