THE SITUATION IN CHINA
I. ADVANCE OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY
PRESS SECTION, WAR DEPARTMENT
AFTER dominating Shansi Province, Japanese military forces drove south to the northern bank of the Yellow River, where they have taken up positions for bombarding the Chinese military establishments along the Lung-Hai Railway, the last Chinese defence line.
A separate Japanese force, pushing south along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway with a view to effecting junction between the Japanese Armies in North and Central China, had, by March 19th, reached a point 40 kilometres north of Hsuchow, thus exposing it to direct menace from Japanese onslaughts.
The Tatung-Puchow Railway Front
The Japanese troops which had been driving south along the Tatung-Puchow Railway made preparations for a further southern push on March 1st. A Japanese cavalry force attacked Kuchengchen on that day, while the Japanese right column advanced on Siang-linghsien. The following day, the Japanese centre drove toward Chaokuchen with the vanguard attacking Mengchengchen while the main body of the Japanese forces was massed near Linfen. At 4 p.m., the same day, the Kanaoka detachment reduced Kuwo.
The Ishiguro detachment which reached Tsinshui, after advancing northwest from the northern bank of the Yellow River started operations in concert with the Japanese forces which drove south along the Tatung-Puchow Railway. This detachment advanced on Yicheng on March 4th and the following day reached Kuwo, which had been taken by the Kanaoka detachment on March 2nd.
The Morimoto unit swung to the western side of the Tatung-Puchow Railway and reached Howmachen on March 4th. The following day this detachment took Wensi. The vanguard of the unit immediately started a drive on Puchow.
The main body of the Japanese forces reached Niutuchen, 8 kilometres south of Itze on March 6th. The vanguard succeeded
in reducing Puchow, the southern terminus of the Tatung-Puchow Railway, by overcoming numerous obstacles in its long drive along the highway. The vanguard did not take a long rest at Puchow, but instead continued a southern push to the ferry-point on the northern bank of the Yellow River, opposite Tungkwan.
Thus the Kanaoka detachment, after repairing over one hundred points on the highway which had been destroyed by the retreating Chinese troops and overcoming various obstacles, succeeded in occupying Puchow, the key point in the southwestern extremity of Shansi Province. The following day this detachment took the ferry-point opposite Tungkwan. Japanese acquisitions at Puchow and at the latter point comprised about 100 locomotives and 400 goods waggons.
Taking up positions on the northern bank of the Yellow River, the Japanese artillery force made a three-day bombardment on Tungkwan, March 7th to March 9th, and destroyed the railway station, the engine-shed, rolling-stock and military establishments. Service on the Lung-Hai Railway was thus completely interrupted at Tungkwan.
The Toyama detachment, which had reached an area east of Wensi by advancing along the northern bank of the Yellow River and outflanking the Tatung-Puchow Railway with a view to cutting off the retreat of the enemy, sighted a large Chinese force retreating southward on March 3rd, on which it opened fire immediately. After routing the enemy, this detachment advanced on Wensi which it took on March 4th. The following day, the unit reached Anyi. On March 6th, it made a further advance and reduced Chiehhsien, from which it swung south and occupied Juicheng and Pinglu on March 8th. This detachment also bombarded the Chinese military establishments on the southern bank of the Yellow River. It destroyed a troop train and an armoured train at Hsiahsien Station on the Lung-Hai Railway on March 10th.
Meanwhile the Yasuda detachment had taken Wenhsien, southeast of Huaiching, to the west of the Peking-Hankow Railway. On March 9th, this detachment attacked Pingkao, about 10 kilometres east of Wenhsien, and wiped out about 1,000 Chinese soldiers. On March 3rd, the detachment bombarded Kunghsien on the southern bank of the Yellow River and destroyed the railway station and military establishments there in addition to about 150 small craft. On March 5th, the detachment shelled the railway station and troop concentrations near Fanshui, inflicting heavy losses on them.
On March 11th about 800 Chinese soldiers attacked Siuwu on the Taokow-Chinghua (Poai) Railway, but the Japanese guards repulsed
the attackers who fled, leaving about 400 dead.
About 7 o'clock on the morning of March 13th, some 600 Chinese soldiers attempted to cross to the northern bank of the Yellow River from Tungkwan, but were repulsed by the Japanese patrols on the northern bank.
The Shantung Front
The Japanese forces which had been standing by along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway started a southern drive on Chinese troops in the border region between Shantung and Kiangsu Provinces, in concert with the Japanese troops which had resumed activities in Shansi Province and also along the Peking-Hankow Railway.
The Fukuei detachment at about 7 a.m., March 14th, launched an attack on some 600 Chinese soldiers at a height west of Siachangpu and drove them away by noon. Part of this detachment made a drive on the Chieh River which had been guarded by the Chinese first line forces, consisting of the 127th and 122nd divisions. In cooperation with the Akashiba detachment, this detachment succeeded in reducing Chiehho Station at 5:30 p.m., the same day. The two Japanese detachments massed near the Chiehho Railway Station at dawn, March 15th, and advanced on an area east of Tenghsien. Part of the Akashiba unit occupied Tenghsien on March 17th, while its main body advanced further south round Tenghsien and reduced Lincheng, 32 kilometres south of Tenghsien at 5 p.m., March 17th.
On the afternoon of March 19th, the Japanese forces started a general attack on Hanchuang, and important town at the southern extremity of Shantung Province and reduced it without much difficulty. The distance from Hanchuang to Hsuchow, the junction of the Tientsin-Pukow and the Lung-Hai Railways, is only 40 kilometres. The enemy massed a large force along the Grand Canal and streams south of it, while fresh Chinese troops were continuously sent to this sector from Hsuchow.
The Japanese detachment which had been pursuing the enemy eastward along the Lincheng-Tsaochuang Railway succeeded in reducing Yihsien at 6:30 p.m., March 19th.
With the successive losses of Lincheng and Hanchuang, the Chinese forces at Hsuchow became seriously endangered. The enemy which had established positions at Peihsien on the opposite shore of Lake Weishan west of Lincheng started a flanking movement on March 22nd and approached Hsiachen, by crossing the lake in an attempt to recapture Lincheng. This did not escape the attention of the Japanese forces. The Nakadaira air unit attacked the enemy on
March 22nd and 23rd, inflicting heavy losses, while the Japanese ground forces forestalled the enemy and occupied Hsiachen on the afternoon of March 23rd. The bulk of the enemy was wiped out in its attempt to land on the shore of the lake, though a small part managed to flee northwestward.
At midnight, March 25th, the Chinese 110th division counter-attacked Hanchuang, but was repulsed.
The Fukuei detachment which took Yihsien left for the south along the Tsaochuang-Taierhchuang Railway at 9 a.m., March 23rd. After crushing some 500 Chinese soldiers near Nikow, this detachment launched an attack on Taierhchuang at about noon, March 24th. The numerical strength of the enemy at Taierhchuang at first was about 6,000, but it was steadily reinforced by fresh troops sent from the south.
The enemy at Taierhchuang, the important border town, offered stubborn resistance. The Japanese forces, however, in cooperation with the Nakadaira air unit, cleared the area round Taierhchuang of Chinese troops and on March 27th occupied the northwestern salient of the town. On March 29th, the Japanese occupied one-half of the town. By the evening of March 31st, the Japanese reduced three-quarters of the town. After sustained, fierce fighting in cooperation with the air force, Japanese troops occupied the south gate of the border town on April 3rd. The Chinese 31st division under General Sun Lien-chung suffered about 3,000 casualties.
The Akashiba detachment started from Yihsien at 5 a.m., March 30th, for Taierhchuang. After dispersing the enemy northwest of Taierhchuang by 9:30 o'clock the same morning, this detachment, in conjunction with the Fukuei unit, reduced Taierhchuang. It pursued the retreating enemy along the Grand Canal. On March 31st, part of the detachment maintained pursuit of the enemy, but its main body swung northeast of Taierhchuang. On April 1st, the unit reached an area southeast of Nikow and occupied Kwanchuang, 10 kilometres north of Taierhchuang, at 8 a.m., the same day. The following day, the detachment drove south along the area east of Taierhchuang.
A Japanese detachment which had been sent by the Japanese forces operating along the Lincheng-Tsaochuang Railway to participate in the general attack on Ichow (Linyi) reached Kuolichu, about 8 kilometres north of Yihsien, at 6:30 p.m., March 24th. This detachment occupied Tuchuang, 8 kilometres northeast of Kuolichu at 9:30 a.m., March 28th, after routing the Chinese troops which had taken up positions near Kuolichu.
Now Ichow had been guarded by General Chang Tze-chung with a large force, but its fate was sealed with the fall of Taierhchuang. Before the Japanese forces launched a general attack on Taierhchuang, they had taken every measure for securing the reduction of Ichow. A survey of the operations against Ichow may be of general interest.
The Katano detachment which had been pushing south in eastern Shantung Province routed about 8,000 Chinese soldiers belonging to the 38th and 180th divisions under General Chang Tze-chung, after four days of fighting from March 14th to March 17th in an area south and southwest of Tangtaochen. The enemy left about 3,000 dead in the engagement. From the evening of March 21st, this detachment pursued the enemy in an area southeast of Ichow on the left bank of the I River.
On March 21st, the detachment crossed the I River in the face of the enemy. On March 23rd, it took Tushutao. The following day, it reduced Taoyuan. This force kept up its southern drive and took Sankwanmiao, 4 kilometres northeast of Ichow at 11:30 a.m., March 25th.
Stubborn resistance was put forth against the Japanese attack by a powerful Chinese force at Ichow under Generals Pang Ping-hsun and Chang Tze-chung. The Japanese besieging force, after reducing the enemy positions on the northern side of Ichow, refrained from engaging the enemy in a frontal clash keeping but part of its strength to deal with them, while the other part of the Japanese force made a sudden appearance at a point halfway between Ichow and Yihsien. This Japanese force attacked Siangcheng, a key point between Ichow and Taierhchuang and reduced it at dawn, March 31st. It pursued the retreating enemy in a southwestern direction and reached the southern side of Lanlingchen, 25 kilometres northeast of Taierhchuang, on the evening of March 31st. Following a fierce onslaught launched the next morning, the Japanese reduced Lanlingchen at 2:30 p.m., April 1st. Several thousand Chinese soldiers fled in disorder toward the southeast.
Clean-up Campaigns in Districts Southwest of Taiyüan, Shansi Province
The Japanese garrison force at Puhsien, 48 kilometres northwest of Linfen, defeated some 6,000 Chinese soldiers moving northward in an area south of Puhsien on March 9th. The enemy left about 600 dead, while the Japanese capture comprised 16 machine-guns, 600 rifles and about 15,000 rounds of ammunition.
The Koito, Kobayashi and Suzuki detachments converged in the mountainous region in southwestern Shansi Province from the north, south and east. The Kobayashi detachment occupied Siangning, one of the bases of operations for the remnants of the Chinese troops at noon, March 19th, while the Koito detachment took Hoshangtang, 20 kilometres north of Chihsien at 10 o'clock the same morning and immediately started a drive on Chihsien.
At 4:30 a.m., March 20th, the Koito detachment reduced Chihsien, into which the Kobayashi detachment also entered at 2 o'clock the same afternoon.
The Koito detachment dealt a crushing blow to about 700 Chinese soldiers belonging to the 85th division at a point west of Puhsien on the afternoon of March 23rd.
The Suzuki detachment defeated about 1,000 communist troops near Wuchengchen on March 25th. This detachment followed up its victory by routing about 1,500 Chinese soldiers north of Taning. On March 30th, the detachment again defeated the Chinese 69th division which had established positions near Kuhsien, northwest of Puhsien.
The Japanese unit then advanced on Sihsien and on March 31st routed about 6,000 Chinese north of Sihsien. On April 1st, it kept up its northern drive in pursuit of the enemy.
The Japanese garrison force at Puhsien encountered, near Tsingkowchen west of Puhsien, about 2,000 Chinese soldiers which had been moving southward from Sihsien and dispersed them.
The Japanese force which had been standing by at Linfen left the place on March 3rd on an expedition against the Chinese troops which had taken up positions in mountainous regions. On the way to Luan on March 4th, this force encountered a large Chinese force near Chafang, 30 kilometres west of Fucheng, and dispersed it. The enemy left about 500 dead.
On March 6th, near Fuchengchen, this force again encountered about two divisions of Chinese troops which had been moving southward from the north and routed them after completely encircling them. The enemy left no less than 2,000 dead.
The Kawazu detachment which also started a southwestern drive from Linfen reached Fencheng on March 4th and Paishan on March 5th. The cavalry force of the detachment reached Hotsin on March 5th, after routing enemy forces on the way. This force further advanced and occupied Yumen at 8 p.m., March 5th, by defeating about 1,600 Chinese soldiers. The enemy which had taken up positions on the left bank of the Fen River retreated into the northern mountainous region.
Part of the Japanese force advanced north from Hotsin and repulsed the Chinese troops which staged a counter-attack north of Kuchen, 10 kilometres north of Hotsin. The enemy left about 500 dead.
The Kijima detachment which had been purging the region south of Paishan defeated about 1,000 Chinese south of Siajenchen at 1 a.m., March 11th. Again at 11:30 a.m., March 11th, this detachment defeated about 500 Chinese soldiers near Tungputsun and another 1,000 at a height north of Kuchan at 2 o'clock the same afternoon. The detachment then occupied the important town of Wanchuan. The enemy left about 800 dead in the three engagements, while the Japanese suffered few casualties.
In Northwestern Shansi Province
The Ozeki detachment, in cooperation with the main body of the Mongolian 5th cavalry division, occupied Pienkwan on the evening of March 2nd. The following morning they started a converging movement on Hoku, an important town at the northwestern extremity of Shansi Province, reducing it on March 6th. The enemy fled into Shensi Province, crossing the upper reaches of the Yellow River which forms the border between the two provinces. The enemy rallied at Machikow in Shensi Province 20 kilometres from Hoku, where it established a new base of operations. Early on the morning of March 10th, the Ishimaru and Ozeki detachments crossed the Yellow River into Shensi Province and secured the line between Siaochantsun and Tachantsun. In cooperation with the Kobayashi air unit, these two detachments continued their drive into Shensi Province and occupied the mountainous region between Hsuchia, Liangshu and Erchuan.
The Kunomura detachment which had pushed south from Santaoyen successfully stormed Chulutai on the afternoon of March 10th, while another Japanese detachment which took Pamienping on the afternoon of March 10th succeeded in reducing Machikow, the main enemy position, without meeting much resistance. The enemy made a full retreat in a southwestern direction toward Shenmu along the Great Wall.
Meanwhile, the Ichinomiya detachment which had been driving north from Kolan after defeating the main body of the enemy in northwestern Shansi Province encountered about 1,000 Chinese soldiers, comprising infantry and cavalry and communist units, at Santsingchen, about 20 kilometres southwest of Wuchai, on the evening of March 10th and defeated them after severe fighting. At
dawn the next morning, this detachment again engaged about 1,500 Chinese in a thick forest near by and repulsed them. The enemy left about 100 dead in the first engagement and another 100 dead in the second, while the Japanese sustained about 50 casualties.
The Senda detachment, which had reduced Paoteh in its campaign against the Chinese troops in northern Shansi Province, dealt a crushing blow to 1,000 Chinese soldiers which were retreating across the Yellow River west of Paoteh at dawn, March 2nd.
Part of this detachment also attacked Fuku in Shensi Province, while the main body drove 200 kilometres through a mountainous region to launch an onslaught against some 2,000 communist troops which had been infesting the Tungchai and Tachai districts southwest of Ningwu which is about 40 kilometres south of Shohsien. On the morning of March 12th, this detachment marched on Tungchai and inflicted a heavy blow on about 1,000 Communists armed with artillery. The enemy fled southward.
In Central Shansi Province
The Sasaki detachment which had been operating in central Shansi Province defeated about 4,000 Chinese soldiers south of Taiku on March 7th and 8th.
On March 19th, this detachment dealt heavy losses to some 2,000 Chinese soldiers in a mountainous region south of Taiku. Again on March 23rd, it defeated about 2,000 Chinese fighters consisting of Chinese regulars and Communists at a point 20 kilometres east of Taiku. On March 25th, the detachment again routed about 1,000 Chinese soldiers at a point about 15 kilometres east of Taiku. Another Japanese detachment dispersed, on March 9th, about 1,000 Chinese soldiers from an area southwest of Old Taiyüan.
The Japanese garrison force at Chungyang, 20 kilometres south of Lishih, had been surrounded by a large Chinese force since March 3rd, but succeeded in driving it away on March 7th.
The Matsui detachment, on March 21st, surprised about 2,000 Chinese soldiers belonging to the 19th Army which had been besieging Chungyang since March 16th and routed them.
In the Region Along the Northern Bank of the Yellow River
The Japanese garrison force at Wangyuchen, about 20 kilometres west of Tsiyüan, was counter-attacked by about 1,000 Chinese soldiers on March 21st, but succeeded in repulsing them the following
day. The enemy fighters belonged to the 132nd division and the 88th division.
The Japanese garrison force at Tsiyüan encountered Chinese troops near Miaowa, about 16 kilometres west of Tsiyüan on the afternoon of March 23rd and drove them away in the direction of the Yellow River.
The Japanese garrison force at Menghsien on March 22nd started operations against the 3,000 Chinese soldiers who had invaded an area west of Menghsien and defeated the enemy main body on the following day. The enemy comprised a mixture of Chinese regulars belonging to the 166th division and "Red Spear" bandits. The enemy left no less than 200 dead, while the Japanese casualties totalled about 20.
The Japanese garrison force at Wenhsien early in the morning of March 23rd succeeded in defeating about 1,000 Chinese which had approached Wenhsien. The enemy fled eastward.
The Ishiguro detachment on March 28th dispersed some 500 Chinese soldiers belonging to the 95th division, south of Tsiaotso. The enemy left about 100 dead.
The same day, about 400 Chinese soldiers launched a counter-attack on Tsiaotso, but were repulsed by the Japanese garrison. The enemy left about 50 dead while the Japanese suffered no casualties.
The Yano detachment at dawn, March 22nd, surprised the enemy west of Fengkiu and dispersed them. The enemy left about 100 dead while the Japanese capture included 45 rifles, 3 light machine-guns and large quantities of ammunition and provisions.
On March 28th, the Ono detachment attacked Taokowchen reducing it at 1:20 o'clock the same afternoon. The enemy which belonged to the 89th division left about 300 dead.
Another Japanese detachment attacked Sunhsien on March 28th and dealt a crushing blow to the Chinese troops there.
The Yano detachment on March 25th attacked Changyuan and almost completely wiped out the Chinese troops there.
The Kasai detachment defeated Chinese troops at a point about 28 kilometres south of Puyang on March 23rd. The Japanese suffered no casualties, but the enemy left about 120 dead and 300 wounded.
The Japanese force which had been conducting an expedition against the Chinese troops under General Liu Ju-ming which crossed to the northern bank of the Yellow River and were infesting the region east of the Peking-Hankow Railway succeeded in reducing Puyang on April 1st and gave chase to the retreating enemy. The
enemy left about 800 dead. This Japanese force destroyed some 100 river boats at a ferry-point on the northern bank of the Yellow River southeast of Puyang.
On the Northern Bank of the Yangtze
The Satoh detachment, in cooperation with a naval force, landed near Fushan on the northern bank of the Yangtze River on March 17th. This detachment was so successful in effecting a surprise landing that the enemy had no chance to offer stiff resistance. The Chinese fled in a northern and eastern direction. The Japanese operations progressed so smoothly and favourably that Tungchow (Nantung), an important town on the northern bank of the Yangtze River was completely occupied at 7:20 o'clock the same morning. The enemy left about 40 dead, while the Japanese captured trench-mortars, machine-guns, rifles and a large quantity of ammunition.
This detachment resumed the chase and occupied Pingchaochen the same afternoon. At about 9 o'clock the next morning, the unit took Paipuchen. It then succeeded in dislodging the Chinese troops which had entrenched themselves in positions extending over 6 kilometres at Tingyenchen. The next morning it started a drive on Jukao, which it captured at 1 p.m.
Part of the Satoh detachment occupied Kutangchen at 10 p.m., March 20th, and took Kiangyenchen on the morning of March 21st. The other part of the detachment advanced north by waterway and occupied Fuan at 1 p.m., March 21st, by routing some 400 Chinese soldiers armed with 4 heavy machine-guns. On the evening of March 25th, the detachment occupied Tungtai, about 35 kilometres northwest of Haianchen.
The Tanigawa detachment, in cooperation with a naval force, started landing on Tsungming Island off the mouth of the Yangtze River at 5:30 a.m., March 18th, and occupied Tsungming, capital of the island, without meeting any resistance at 10 o'clock the same morning. This island was soon completely occupied by the Japanese force. With the occupation of Tsungming Island and Tungchow (Nantung), the Japanese have succeeded in safeguarding navigation on the estuary of the Yangtze.
Clean-up Campaign in Central China
The Chinese military authorities have been resorting to costly counter-attacks or promoting loose guerilla warfare, actuated by the desire to divide the Japanese forces which are now driving north
on Hsuchow along the southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway, or to distract their attention.
Recently the Chinese military authorities have resorted to another move, this time for disturbing the rear of the Japanese Army in Central China. Chinese troops, about two divisions strong, invaded the region between Wuhu and Hangchow, whereupon the Japanese forces from about March 15th started a converging movement against the invaders. The Japanese started an encircling movement on the Chinese from Huchow, Hangchow, Wuhu, Wushih and Kintan.
The Kawanami, Takamori, and Hoshi detachments on March 13th started to eliminate the Chinese invaders from the region west and east of Lake Changtang south of Kintan.
Simultaneously, the Ishii, Tagami and Takeda detachments began a clean-up campaign against the Chinese troops between Lakes Tai and Hur southwest of Wushih.
On March 12th, part of the Ishii detachment in cooperation with a naval force defeated the Chinese troops on Machishan Island, which was cleared of all Chinese troops the next day. On March 15th, the detachment gave chase to the enemy which had fled to Wufengshan and Situngtingshan.
The Ishii and Tagami detachments attacked the enemy near Hochiaochen, about 32 kilometres south of Changhow at noon, March 14th.
On the morning of March 16th, the Hasegawa detachment battered the enemy position at Sunchiapu in Anhwei Province about 12 kilometres south of Hsuancheng and reduced it at dawn, March 17th.
The Takahashi, Satoh and Nakajima detachments which advanced from the Hangchow district reached the line between Anchi and Hsiaofeng on March 19th. Pursuing the enemy, these detachments, on March 22nd, routed about 200 Chinese soldiers at Menkowtang and Yanghanchiao, some 15 kilometres northeast of Kwangteh.
The Shimogawa detachment which advanced from the southern district of Mokanshan reached Anchi on March 19th, by negotiating a difficult mountain pass. This unit then kept up its western drive.
The Kataoka, Kozaki and Asano detachments which advanced from Huchow pushed westward and reached Ssuan on March 19th. They crossed the border between Anhwei and Kiangsu Provinces in pursuit of the retreating enemy.
The Takamori and Kawanami detachments which had been operating in the region west of Lake Tai reached Liyang on March 19th, while the Tagami and Ishii detachments reached Ihsing the
same day. By March 23rd all these detachments reached the border of Kiangsu Province.
The Hasegawa and Takeshita detachments drove eastward from Ningkuo. On March 19th, their vanguard entered Kwangteh. These two detachments defeated about 1,000 Chinese soldiers in an area north of Shihtsiehtu, about 25 kilometres west of Kwangteh on March 21st, while part of the detachments crushed about 150 Chinese near Shuimingchiao.
The Ushijima detachment encountered some 7,000 Chinese soldiers near Kwangteh and practically annihilated them. The detachment captured about 10,000 rounds of ammunition.
On March 28th the Takahashi and Satoh detachments dispersed about 3,000 Chinese soldiers near Liutungchiao, about 20 kilometres northeast of Kwangteh.
Activities of the Japanese Military Air Forces
The Japanese Military Air Force in close cooperation with the ground forces not only contributed substantially to the Japanese successes along the Yellow River but secured command of the air in North China.
The Sonoda air unit at 2 p.m., February 28th, attacked and inflicted a heavy loss on Chinese troops retreating between Sinkiang and Paishan. At 11:30 o'clock the same morning, the unit dropped provisions for the Toyama detachment operating in a mountainous region.
On March 5th, the Torita air unit visited Chengchow, the junction of the Peking-Hankow and the Lung-Hai Railways, and Yuchow and bombed the airfields there. Early in the morning of March 8th, this unit raided Siangyang in northern Hunan Province and bombed the airfield there, destroying the hangar. In the ensuing air combat, the Japanese raiders engaged about 16 Chinese planes and shot down 4 of them. The Japanese planes all returned safely to their base.
On March 8th this unit raided Sian, capital of Shensi Province and bombed one large-sized and one small-sized plane on the ground. Ten Chinese planes took the air to challenge the Japanese raiders, who, however, succeeded in bringing down two of them. One Japanese machine-gunner was killed in the combat. The same day another Japanese unit visited Sian and shot down 4 Chinese challengers.
The Morimoto air unit visited Sian the same day and succeeded in shooting down 5 Chinese challengers and in destroying 5 planes on
the ground. This unit suffered no damages.
At 7:30 o'clock the same morning, this detachment visited Chengchow and effectively bombed the railway station there.
At noon, March 11th, the Yamase and Teranishi units raided Sian, bombing the airfield. In the air duel which ensued, the Japanese raiders brought down 5 Chinese planes. One medium-sized plane on the ground was bombed and burned, while another was damaged. The hangar and several buildings on the airfield were heavily damaged. All the Japanese raiders returned to their base in safety.
Another large-scale air raid was made on Sian by the Japanese Military Air Force at 12:30 p.m., March 14th, when the Nakakuni, Yamase, Teranishi and Suzuki units visited the capital of Sian Province and effectively bombed the airfield. Not a single Chinese plane challenged the Japanese raiders, nor was there a single Chinese machine to be seen on the ground.
At noon, March 18th, the Nakadaira unit, in cooperation with the ground forces which were attacking Tangtaochen and Tenghsien, attacked the Chinese troops at these two places and inflicted heavy losses on them. This unit visited Hsuchow twice the same day and bombed the railway station and troop trains there. At noon, March 19th, the unit visited Kweiteh, a key point on the Lung-Hai Railway and bombed military establishments. In cooperation with the Japanese ground forces, the unit attacked enemy positions and troop concentrations. On March 18th, the unit engaged three Chinese pursuit planes; Captain Ouchi was killed when eight bullets lodged in his body.
The combined force of the Teranishi and Nakadaira air units hopped off from their base early in the morning of March 25th and reached Kweiteh at 8 o'clock. Over 20 Chinese planes, including planes of Soviet manufacture of the E 15 and 16 types, heavy bombers of the S. B. type and some planes of British make had taken the air to challenge the Japanese. After fierce aerial combat, the Japanese raiders succeeded in bringing down 18 Chinese planes and burning a heavy bomber of the S. B. type on the ground. The hangar was also badly damaged.
The Nakazono unit on March 26th raided Hsuchow and effectively bombed the railway station there.
At noon, the same day, the Nakadaira unit visited Siangcheng and Taierhchuang in southern Shantung Province, bombing Chinese military establishments and troop concentrations.
The Nakazono air unit at noon, March 28th, attacked the North Station at Hsuchow and destroyed several trains.
The Nakadaira unit cooperated with the ground forces operating
along the Tientsin-Pukow Railway. It also visited Hsuchow and bombed the military establishments there.
The Yamase unit visited Ichow (Linyi) in Shantung Province and attacked the southwestern extremity of the town.
Early in the morning of March 29th this unit raided Taierhchuang and effectively bombed Chinese military establishments. The bridge on the Grand Canal was also destroyed.
Japanese Air Units in Central China
Chinese aeroplanes from time to time are conducting raids over that part of Central China now under Japanese occupation, although they are easily driven back by the Japanese air force and anti-aircraft batteries.
At about 4 p.m., March 14th, Chinese heavy bombers of Soviet manufacture of the T. B. type raided Wuhu in formation, but were met by a Japanese air unit commanded by Lieutenant Yoshikawa. The Japanese challengers shot down one Chinese plane at a point 10 kilometres north of Wuhu. The enemy pilot escaped by parachute, but was taken prisoner by the Japanese ground force.
At 2:45 p.m., March 16th, six Chinese heavy bombers raided the airfield at Kienkiao, east of Hangchow. The Japanese air force pursued the Chinese raiders, of which two were brought down from a height of 3,500 metres over Tunglulanchi. Bombs dropped by the Chinese raiders hit Chinese villages and caused over a dozen casualties among the Chinese inhabitants.
II. FORCES OF THE IMPERIAL NAVY IN ACTION
PUBLICITY BUREAU, NAVY DEPARTMENT
PEACE and order is being restored along the lower reaches and estuary of the Yangtze River by the Japanese naval forces which have removed the booms and swept the mines laid by Chinese troops. They are also patrolling the river course most effectively.
In view, however, of the fact that remnants of Chinese troops still infested Tungchow (Nantung) on the northern bank of the Yangtze and also Tsungming Island off the mouth of the river, the Japanese authorities decided to suppress them. Japanese naval forces in cooperation with the military forces have recently succeeded in clearing Tungchow and also Tsungming Island of the remnants of Chinese troops.
A Japanese naval force under command of Rear-Admiral Sonoda early in the morning of March 17th escorted a large force of Japanese troops to a point near Tungchow (Nantung) on the northern bank of the Yangtze and effectively covered their landing which was done so suddenly and successfully that the enemy had no chance to offer any stiff resistance. Prior to the landing near Tungchow, the Japanese naval commander communicated with the authorities of third Powers in Shanghai to prevent danger to their vessels.
Landing of a Japanese military force on Tsungming Island was scheduled for the early morning of March 18th. The Japanese naval force sent a marine unit to the island, in addition to covering the landing of the military force on the island. The military and marine forces made a joint drive on Tsungming, capital of the island, which they reduced after defeating the Chinese troops outside the walled town. The occupation of the capital was effected during the morning, thus paving the way for the pacification of the entire island.
The Naval Air Forces in Japan
Japanese naval air forces have been active in all parts of China, bombing and destroying the Chinese military establishments at various important points. An outline of their activities from February 28th to April 5th follows.
February 28th South China: Locomotives south of Yuantan on the Canton-Hankow Railway were bombed and destroyed.
The airfield at Tienho, near Canton, was attacked with the result that the hangars and buildings on the field were destroyed. The Japanese raiders shot down one Chinese plane in the ensuing aerial combat. The airfield at Tsingfa was also visited. One hangar, several military barracks and one gasoline depot were bombed and burned.
Central China: The airfield at Siangyang was visited. Engaging over a dozen Chinese planes which had been flying in the vicinity, the Japanese Naval Air Force bombed and burned two blocks of buildings, one depot and one plane on the ground. The Japanese air force flew over the airfield at Ichang and bombed two planes on the ground as well as two hangars.
March 1st South China: The railway bridge south of Wongshek on the Canton-Hankow Railway was bombed and destroyed. The airfields at Tienho, Pokwan and Bocca Tigris were bombed.
March 2nd Along the Canton-Hankow Railway: Yinchanyao, Pakonghow, Sanhwatien and Laitung were visited by the Japanese Naval Air Force, which bombed and destroyed arsenals and other military establishments there.
Along the Canton-Samshui Railway: Sinanchen was raided and junks carrying munitions were attacked.
Japanese naval planes also visited Chungtang and Bocca Tigris bombing military motor-lorries there.
March 3rd Yinchanyao, on the Canton-Hankow Railway, was again attacked.
March 8th South China: The Japanese Naval Air Force raided Changchow and bombed the airfield there.
March 9th South China: Japanese naval planes devoted attention to the Canton-Hankow Railway and bombed military establishments north of Chuntien, south of Sanhwatien and at Yinchanyao.
March 10th South China: The highway near Kumha was attacked.
March 11th Changmutao and Changping on the Canton-Kowloon Railway were attacked.
March 13th South China: The highway near Lingsia, south of Kumha, was bombed.
North China: The new airfield at Nancheng in southwestern Shensi Province was attacked. Munition depots and other buildings were bombed by Japanese naval planes.
March 14th North China: Ichow (Linyi) in southern Shantung Province was raided by the Japanese Naval Air Force, which in cooperation with the ground forces attacked the military barracks there. Taierhchuang, a border town, was also raided and the
rolling-stock at the station there was bombed. Nancheng in southwestern Shensi Province was raided again. The new airfield was attacked and three gasoline depots were bombed and burned.
Central China: Nanchang was visited at nightfall. One hangar, one factory and three other buildings at the airport were bombed and burned. Hankow was raided at night and its airfield bombed with the result that fires broke out at four different spots on the field. Chuchow in western Chekiang Province was raided; the local airfield was attacked.
South China: Pitsun, Yangyao, Tangtao, Sintang and other places along the Canton-Kowloon Railway were visited and the military establishments attacked. The Japanese Naval Air Force also visited the North River and attacked Tatang, where it bombed and sank one Chinese transport.
March 15th North China: Ichow in southern Shantung Province was again raided. The Chinese troop concentrations, and military barracks near the west gate were attacked.
Central China: Nanchang was visited at night, when, defying Chinese anti-aircraft batteries and pursuit planes, the Japanese Naval Air Force made three raids on the local airfield. Several hangars in the first raid, hangars, factories and aeroplanes on the ground in the second, and factories in the third were bombed and burned. Chian also was visited, while the airfield at Lishui in Chekiang Province was bombed.
South China: Foochow was visited and the airfield there was bombed. Shakow and Yinchanyao on the Canton-Hankow Railway were raided and the military establishments including railway bridges were bombed. The Wongsha wireless station on the Canton-Kowloon Railway was attacked. The military Cadets' School and anti-aircraft batteries north of the Tienho airfield were bombed. On the same day, Pokwan was visited; the military buildings southwest of the airfield there as well as the anti-aircraft batteries north of the Tienho airfield were bombed. Meihsien was also raided.
March 16th North China: Laishan, south of Chefoo, and Mowping were visited by Japanese naval planes and several hundred bandits were attacked. Bandits were attacked at Fushaw also, while Ichow was raided as a result of which the north and west gates of the town were bombed.
Central China: The Japanese Naval Air Force raided Hankow at night. Defying Chinese anti-aircraft batteries and pursuit planes, the Japanese raiders effectively bombed the local airfield there. Nanchang was also visited during the same night. In spite of the Chinese anti-aircraft batteries and pursuit planes, the Japanese planes
bombed the airfield and destroyed one hangar and three large-sized planes in addition to three more which were burned.
South China: Chuntien, Lienkonghow and Hotow on the Canton-Hankow Railway were visited and railway bridges and rolling-stock were bombed. The wireless station near Wongsha was bombed. The airfield at Tsungfa was raided, where one gasoline depot and other buildings were bombed and burned. On the same day naval planes flew to Foochow where one hangar and five other buildings at the airfield were bombed. Shitow and other places were also raided and factories and bridges were bombed.
March 17th North China: Chuchen, about 10 kilometres southwest of Ichow, Tsangchow, about 14 kilometres west of Antungwei, and Fochu, about 9 kilometres west of Antungwei, were attacked and military establishments including ammunition depots were bombed and burned.
Central China: Nanchang was raided twice. The Japanese planes bombed and destroyed all buildings on the airfield except hangars in the first raid and bombed and burned two hangars and six planes on the ground in the second raid. One factory was also burned. Chian was visited and the airfield there was bombed with the result that three planes on the ground and three buildings were destroyed. Anching too was raided and two depots at the airfield were bombed.
South China: The Japanese Naval Air Force bombed and destroyed the aeroplane factory at Shiuchow. Hotow, a point on the Canton-Hankow Railway, was raided and the military establishments there were attacked. Changchow was also visited and its airfield attacked.
March 18th Central China: Chuchow was raided by Japanese naval planes which bombed the airfield there.
South China: Pakonghow, Yinchanyao, Wongshek, Laitung, Sinkai, Hotow, Shakow and Yingtak on the Canton-Hankow Railway were visited and the military establishments there, including military arsenals and railway tracks, were bombed. Sheksha and Paishih on the Canton-Kowloon Railway were attacked. Tsungfa was raided and the bridges east of it bombed.
March 19th The Japanese Air Force cooperated in general attacks with the ground forces in North and Central China. In South China, Changmutao on the Canton-Kowloon Railway and Kaipien on the Canton-Samshui Railway were attacked. Several key points on the Canton-Hankow Railway were also visited.
March 27th Central China: Hankow and Wuchang were raided. The Japanese Naval Air Force bombed and destroyed three planes
at the Hankow airfield and two large-sized planes at the Wuchang airfield. Other military establishments were also bombed.
Anching was visited and the airfield there was attacked. One Chinese gunboat and one freighter were bombed and sunk.
South China: Various key points on the Canton-Hankow Railway were attacked.
March 28th Japanese naval planes bombed the airfield at Nanyung in South China as well as several points on the Canton-Hankow Railway.
March 29th Various important points along the Canton-Hankow Railway were attacked.
March 30th South China: Shakow, Laitung and other points on the Canton-Hankow Railway were visited and military establishments including railway tracks were bombed. Bocca Tigris also was visited and the military barracks there were attacked. A naval aerial expedition was extended to Changchow where a large factory was bombed.
March 31st The Japanese Naval Air Force continued its attacks on Laitung, Wongshek, Shakow and other points on the Canton-Hankow Railway, bombing railway tracks and bridges. In addition, the Japanese planes attacked a military arsenal at Pakonghow and a large factory at Suntso.
April 1st North China: While cooperating with the ground forces operating in southern Shantung Province, the Japanese Naval Air Force visited Lungchuanchang and attacked a large bandit concentration.
Central China: Chian was visited and the airfield was attacked.
South China: Foochow was visited by naval planes which attacked the airfield there. Various important points on the Sunning, the Canton-Samshui, and the Canton-Hankow Railways were also bombed. The North River was likewise visited by the Japanese Naval Air Force which also attacked military goods trains north of Wongsha on the Canton-Hankow Railway.
April 3rd South China: The wireless station at Chungshan, the airfield at Shiuchow, the airfield at Foochow and military establishments at Bocca Tigris and Kucheng were bombed by the Japanese Naval Air Force.
April 4th North China: Japanese naval planes raided Tungnanying, Towang and Paikuo where military establishments and troop concentrations were bombed.
Central China: Kushih was raided and the local airfield was attacked with the result that three Chinese planes on the ground were bombed and destroyed while another was damaged. Chumatien
was also visited and the airfield attacked. Over a dozen aeroplanes on the ground were damaged.
South China: Laitung and Hwangmen on the Canton-Hankow Railway were visited and railway tracks and rolling stock were attacked. Tangtow and Siahu on the Canton-Kowloon Railway were raided; the military establishments at those railway stations were bombed. Lishui was raided with the result that three hangars at the airfield were destroyed.