Evening star., 1944-05-07
Japs Nine Miles
From Loyang in
China Drive
Chuneking DiscIoses
30-MiIe Setback
In Heavy Fighting

U. s. FLYERS HAMMER Japs along
TOO miles of New Guinea COAST
line. Page "A.
ALLIES STEP UP DRIVE to clear
kohima area before rainst start.
Page A.
BY the Associated Press
CHUNGKING, May 6.-The
Chinese command announced
tonight that strong Japanese
tank and armored car forces in
a 30-mile breakthrough had
driven to within 8 miles of the
ancient city of Loyang, gateway
of an historic invasion route to
the interior of China.
The japanese, slowed in their
frontal attack on Loyang along the
Lunghai railway from the east,
struck swiftly from recently cap
tured Lunju to the southeast,
crossed the vi River and drove to
within sight of Loyang before being
slowed in heavy fighting with the
Chinese.
Tonight's communique acknowl-
edged Japanese advances in two
other sectors of the Honan Province
front, which the enemy was expands
ing rapidly in campaign now be-
ing described by Japanese corre-
spondents, perhaps significantly, as
the most extensive since the big
drive on Hankow in 1888.
Chinese Gap Narrowed.
In one of these advances the JAP
anese drove 10 miles northward
along the Peiping- Hankow railway
from Kioshan to Chumatien, mar
rowing the Chinese-held gap Of the
railway to less than 40 miles. The
Japanese forces driving southwark
along the railroad from Chenghsien
last were reported at Yencheng.
In the other advance the Japa-
nese gained in converging attack
on the strategically important town
of Paofeng, As miles west of the
railway and about so miles south
east of Loyang.
A supplementary Chungking COM
munique said the Chinese Air
Force gave active support to the
troops fighting in Central Honan
today, several formations of planes
attacking the enemy on the Linju-
Paisha highway and killing more
than 1000 Japanese. More than 100
trucks and 80 tanks were destroyed,
the statement said.
Occupation of Loyang, which six
times has been the capital of China.
would threaten the large Chinese
forces to the east, the main army
Iof modern China now guarding the
invasion route to the interior.
In particular, Loyang lies astride
the historic route to Szechwan
Province, in which is located China's
wartime capital of Chunking. Fall
of Loyang might be the forerunner
OF a japanese push in this direction.
Large Crowds Fleeing.
Already there are reports from the
'front.' OF great cFOWdS OF homeless,
fleeing before the japanese drive and
deprived of a bumper wheat crop
they had expected to harvest. These
unnumbered thousands, fatigued and
footsore and their backs burdened
by bundles of belongings, converged
on Loyang, only to find on arrival
that the city itself was becoming q
part of the front.
Tonight's communique said the
double drive on Paofeng developed
after japanese column advancing
against Yehsien, IS miles east of the
Peiping- -Hankow railway at YEN
cheng, was repulsed The column
then turned northwestward and
Joined forces with column pressing
southwestward from Kaihsien, and
the two together attacked Paofeng,
the Chinese bulletin said.
In the drive northward along the
Peiping -Hankow railway from the
Japanese base at Sinyang, the enemy
attacked Chumatien, but was re-
pulsed, the Chinese communiqus
said,