Evening star., 1944-07-09
j. 5. Airmen Pound
Jap Supply Lines;
Chinese Retake Town
n the Associated Press.

~
~ the Associated Press
- CHUNGKING, July S.-Ameri-
Z can airmen continued their pulver-
1zing attacks on the highly vulner-
able Japanese lines Of supply
throughout Human Province, as the
Chinese In savage counterattack
recaptured and occupied the town
OF Liling, Japanese stronghold along
the front north of the Canton Han
: kow Railway junction Of Hengyang,
the Chinese high command said
: tonight.
Rumors in this capital said the
Japanese, in the face of Chinese
counterattacks in all sectors of the
Human fighting, were preparing to
withdraw from their positions at
Hengyang, where the Chinese high
command yesterday announced the
breaking OF bitter l2-day siege.
This report was bolstered by re-
ports of heavy American raids all
along the Slang River, striking at
troop craft. supply boats and other
targets. but confirmation was lack
Ing from Hengyang itself.
Fresh Assault Possible.
Some said the Japanese may have
been regrouping for a fresh assault
on the vital rail junction. However,
military observers here reckoned
such a plan would be a costly ex-
pertinent for the Japanese, with
their lengthening supply lines de-
pending principally upon the shall
low waters Of the Slang.
Tonights communique said re-
peated enemy attacks on the sub
urbs OF Hengyang were thrown back
as strong Chinese units frightened
the moose on the city's outer ring,
while IL miles west of the junction
. japanese forces were routed.
To the south in the area below
Leiyang on the railway, the Japa-
, nese suffered more than 1000 cas-
ualties when the Chinese sprung a
trap, the bulletin said. and As miles
northeast of Hengyang. inside
Yungfeng, serious fighting was in
progress.
Chinese Pursue Foe.
The Chinese said they were pur-
suing the enemy southwark in
Kwangtung Province, after hating
the japanese northward drive from
Canton. Heavy fighting was re-
ported in the vicinity of the Chi
nese stronghold of Tsingyun, 40
miles north Of Canton, which the
Japanese have been attempting to
capture.
Maj Gen. Claire L. Chennault's
i14th Air Force flyers ranged all the
way from the Yangtze River in
the north to Canton on the south
coast. Five times on Thursday BIS
bombers and P-40 Warhawks
smashed at Sinshih, important rear
supply base of the enemy southeast
Of Tungting Lake in northern HUI
nan Province. and in the same area
the base at Kweiyi was attacked
Rumors flew thick and fast in the
capital. One said the japanese were
building defense works north of
Hengyang. intent on securing them
selves firmly against counterattacks
preparatory to swing westward in
the general direction Of Chungking
Another told of the massing of
Russian troops on the Manchurian
border, forcing the Japanese to re-
transfer troops drawn from that
area, but this report was greeted
with high degree of skepticism.
Jap Fighter Planes Active.
Meanwhile on the Salween River
front Jap fighter planes have made
their first appearance in an attack
on Chinese troops between Lungling,
secondary Japanese Yunnan Prov
ince base, and Nangshih, it was an
nounced.
Four fighter planes supported an
enemy attack in the sector and the
Chinese suffered some local losses
as fighting continued into the night,
the Chinese said.
Chinese troops continued their
drive against Tengchung, the main
japanese base, which was raided
again on Thursday by American
BIS bombers. Villages and pill
boxes were taken southeast of the
ancient city, placing the Chinese
only half mile from the wall.
About 10 miles south of Tengchung
Chinese forces captured a town on
the Lungling road