Evening star., 1942-01-02
Chinese Admit Fall
OF Suburbs in Raging
Battle for Changsha
Defenders Claim to Be
EncircIine Foe, However,
In Fight Of 'AnnihiIotion'
Nv thr ASsoriated Press

By the Associated Press
CHUNGKING, China, Jan. q
japanese occupation of the northern
suburbs of Changsha, Human prov
ince capital and silk center, was
acknowledged by the Chinese today
as fighting in shifting, no-quarter
battle for possession of the city
ragged without a pause.
A Chinese communique said the
battle in Northern Human province
was in its final stages and Chinese
soldiers were fiercely resisting at
tacks on the outer defenses Of
Changsha.
German correspondents at
Shanghai reported to Berlin that
japanese forces entered Chang
sha at noon yesterday after
breaking through five divisions
of Chinese defenders.
CThe correspondents said they
visited the Changsha front at
the invitation of the japanese
and were taken to a large air
drome near the city, but were not
permitted to enter ChangSha be-
cause fighting was still going on
thereD
japanese troops supported by air.
craft forced their way across the
Liuyang River into the suburbs yes
terday. the Chinese Central News
Agency reported simultaneously,
japanese war planes attacked the
heart of the city, unloading eX-
plosives from a low level and
Notwithstanding the streets.
Other Human Province towns. in
Guiding the important railway
junction of Hengyang. about 100
miles south of Changsha, also were
EOmbed.
Casualties Enormous.
The main battle for ChangSha was
IN progress on the plains Just north
cast of the city of 100000 population.
Casualties on both sides were said
- Up ellUi IllOltS,
The Chinese also were engaged
~ bloody hand-to-hand fighting in
'le next eastward province of
51iangsi and were reported directly
attacking the Wine-making city of
ShaohinG. in the coastal province
Of Chekiang, roughly 500 miles
northeast of the Changsha battle
zone.
The Japanese have suffered two
Of their worst defeats OF the Chinese
var in vain attempts TO capture and
hold Changsha. once in October,
1899. and again last September.
This time, Chinese sources de-
Clared, the japanese have poured
rcinforCementS across the Liuyang
River to build their strength up to
100000 men. Some foreign observers
discounted this figure as probably
too large.
Chinese Encircling Foe.
"A battle Of annlhilation is being
Hnfoided as the Chinese carry out
4 encircling movement against the
trtlI Ddllt Dc AOlNSN' NiiC SSlilA al
l-eWs Agency reported.
Changsha. in the midst of a rich
rice growing district, is 400 airline
lilies northwest of Japanese-held
eng Kong and about the same
, stance east of Chungking.
The Chinese declared they had
cYecuted effective flanking attacks
gainst the japanese supply lines
Ill the way to the japanese base at
ochow, 100 miles north of Chang
IA at the point where Tungting
IKE joins the Yangtze River.
The Chinese agency said scores
villages had been taken in the
-ilo River region, seriously threat
,0ing the japanese line of supply
t. retreat.
To the east, the Chinese said they
Id counter attacked and recap
tired the town of Fenchsin. west of
NanChang, in KlangSi Province.
Bloody fighting also was reported
ground Kaoan. 40 miles southwest
of Nanchang, with positions chang
mg hands several times Tuesday
and Wednesday.
The Chinese said they had recap
tured three points around Shaoking.
about 30 miles east of HangchOw,
and that Shaohing itself was under
Cirect attack