Treaties, Laws and Speeches

THE SITUATION IN CHINA

I. —ADVANCE OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY—

Press Section, War Department

The Drive on Hsuchow

(From April 19th to May 12th)

THE Japanese Northern Army operating in southern Shantung Province is now making a steady drive on Hsuchow, the junction of the Lung-Hai and Tientsin-Pukow Railways, where the enemy is making a final stand. Chinese troops have made counter-attacks on Japanese positions in various sectors to frustrate the Japanese southward advance, but these have failed.

Some 10 Chinese divisions under Generals Tang En-po, Sun Lien-chung and Chang Tze-chung started a daring move to outflank the Japanese troops in April, but their attempts were counteracted by the Akashiba, Fukuei and Katano detachments which swung to the south of Yihsien and Kuokitsi. These units pushed back the Chinese steadily. Especially successful was part of the Japanese forces which advanced on Lini (Ichow). A salient of the walled town was occupied at 10:15 o'clock on the morning of April 19th ; all walls were taken within an hour.

On April 21st, Japanese forces started an attack on Lichiachuang, about 20 kilometres south of Lini, which they reduced without difficulty. The Japanese then pushed further south and took Tancheng, an important town on the southern border of Shantung Province at dawn, April 24th.

Another Japanese detachment succeeded in breaking through the enemy line on April 18th. Following up its victory, this detachment reached the line between Tsishantao, Poshankow and Wangchahu on April 19th. On April 21st, it continued its pursuit of the enemy and reached the line connecting Yuchuang, Liuchuang and Changcheng. Toward evening it occupied Szehuchen in northern Kiangsu Province.

Part of the Japanese Northern Army reduced Szelichungfang, about 16 kilometres west of Tancheng on the southern border of

Shantung Province, on May 4th. The following day it took Wangtangtsi, about 5 kilometres southwest of Szelichungfang. Another detachment of this army occupied Siaokweichang, 14 kilometres southwest of Tancheng, on May 10th.

A vigorous attack was launched on the enemy position on the Siaoho River, about 12 kilometres south of Tsining, by part of the Japanese troops operating in the lake region in western Shantung Province. After breaking through the enemy position and routing several divisions of Chinese troops, this detachment reached the Kuerh River, about 20 kilometres south of Tsining. It resumed its southern drive on Tayitsi on May 10th.

The Japanese Military Air Force on May 10th visited the Lung-Hai Railway and attacked Chinese troop trains and over a dozen Chinese tanks.

On May 12th, troops of the Japanese Northern Army occupied Yungcheng.

With the Southern Forces

The Chinese, born propagandists, overlook no opportunity for furthering their purpose. When the Japanese Armies are taking a deserved rest following a victory, the Chinese represent the war situation as developing in their favour with special stress on the "significant" inactivity of the Japanese forces. Actually, however, when the Japanese assume the offensive again, they carry everything before them. The Japanese Southern Army is now driving successfully north on the Lung-Hai Railway, while the Northern Army is steadily pushing south on the same line. Thus the Chinese troops in southern Shantung Province are exposed to vigorous Japanese attacks from north and south.

The Nakano detachment in cooperation with the Imperial Navy succeeded in landing near Hohsien and occupied the town without meeting any stiff resistance on the afternoon of April 24th. This detachment continued its western drive and reduced Hanchan on April 26th.

All communication facilities in the neighbourhood were destroyed by the enemy before its retreat. Nothing daunted, however, the Japanese detachment drove further west and took Chaohsien on the eastern shore of Lake Chao on the morning of April 30th.

Part of the Nakano detachment then occupied Hsiako. Defying the muddy road which was a veritable quagmire and the hot weather which registered over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, this detachment on the afternoon of May 3rd reduced Chaokao. It is maintaining its

western drive on Hofei (Luchow) in central Anhwei Province.

Part of the Japanese Southern Army which was advancing north along the southern section of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway reached a line extending west and east of Wangchuangchen on the evening of May 5th, after breaking through the Chinese position on the banks of the Pei Fei River. Toward evening on May 7th, this unit reached the southern bank of the Kwo River.

Another Japanese detachment which drove northwest in concert with this unit dislodged Chinese troops from the northern bank of the Pei Fei River and occupied Shwangchiaotsi and its western district on May 9th, after defeating a separate body of Chinese troops which left no less than 1,600 dead. On May 12th, the Japanese reached Hantsuntsi.

The Japanese detachment which had pushed northwest along the Kwo river succeeded in breaking through the Chinese positions on the northern bank of the Kwo River. This detachment kept up its drive and cut off the highway from Mengcheng to Kuchen on the morning of May 8th. In cooperation with the main body of the Japanese force which had reached a point south of Mengcheng, it succeeded in capturing Mengcheng on May 9th.

Meanwhile a strong Chinese unit was advancing from Fengtai on Mengcheng, but it was met and annihilated by the Japanese troops between Luwangtsi and Lotuchen near the Tze River.

The Japanese troops continued their northern drive and reached the line between Sanyitsi and Tanchengtsi on May 12th. The Japanese vanguard subsequently invaded northeastern Honan Province and occupied Yungcheng.

Clean-up Campaign near Ningkuo and Hangchow

The Japanese garrisons at Ningkuo and Sunchiapu near Sanshanchen and Shihweichen, which is about 8 kilometres south of Wuhu, were each attacked by about 300 Chinese on May 1st, but succeeded in repulsing them with heavy losses.

On April 25th, the Japanese garrison at Hangchow started operations against the Chinese troops which had established a base of operations in the Chingshan plain east of Linan. On April 28th, the garrison succeeded in liquidating the main body of the Chinese 108th division as well as the 61st division.

The Suiyüan Front

(From April 13th to May 13th)

Chinese troops under General Ma Chan-shan which had been active

in the area southwest of Khoho (Suiyüan) crossed the Yellow River during a period from the end of March to the beginning of April and began to menace the Wuchuan district.

The Chinese troops under General Men Ping-yo which had set up a base of operations in the Wuli district acted in concert with the Ma Chan-shan forces and started an eastern drive by bringing strong pressure to bear on the Inner Mongolian troops there.

Meanwhile, the Chinese 86th division which had been severely attacked by the Japanese military air force succeeded in rallying and reorganizing itself, so that it was able to assume a vigorous offensive against the first line of the Inner Mongolians.

In view of the alarming situation, Japanese forces launched a punitive expedition against those Chinese troops on April 15th. The Japanese operations made favourable progress, so that the Ma Chan-shan troops in the Wuchuan district were dealt a crushing blow by a combined attack of the Japanese ground and air forces.

General Ma Chan-shan at the head of only 400 bodyguards fled westward near Yinhao about 20 kilometres east of Kuyang (north of Paotow), hotly pursued by the Ishimaru detachment which succeeded in dealing a further blow to the enemy at a point about 32 kilometres north of Kuyang on April 22nd. General Ma apparently made good his escape with a handful of his retinue, but the Chinese divisional commander Liu Kwei-wu was killed, according to reliable information.

The Haraguchi detachment kept up the chase and occupied Anpei on April 24th. In this engagement, the Chinese left about 330 dead, while about 300 were made prisoner. The Japanese capture included 165 rifles and 231 horses. It is no exaggeration to say that the main body of Ma Chan-shan's troops was annihilated.

Since April 17th when the Japanese forces started a punitive expedition against the Chinese troops near Wuchuan (northwest of Khoho) up to the occupation of Anpei on April 24th, on the Chinese side about 800 men and 450 horses were killed. The Japanese spoils of war included some 280 rifles, 30 light machine-guns and 300 horses, while about 320 Chinese were taken prisoner. The Japanese casualties were 19 killed and 80 wounded.

The remnants of the Chinese troops which attempted to invade the area south of Khoho in concert with those which invaded the area north of Khoho totalled about 9,000, commanded by the Chinese warlords, Fu Tso-yi, Ho Chu-kuo and Ma Chan-shan. They invaded Holinkoerh, about 52 kilometres south of Khoho.

The nearest Japanese garrison promptly launched a punitive expedition against them. On April 30th, the Japanese dislodged the

Chinese troops from their positions near Erhchienfang, about 16 kilometres northwest of Holinkoerh and drove them southward. The Chinese left about 600 dead, 2 mountain-guns and large quantities of other arms and ammunition.

The Japanese followed up their victory and on May 1st captured the Chinese positions in and around Holinkoerh. The enemy was routed in the direction of Tahungcheng.

On April 29th, a surprise attack was successfully made by the Senda detachment on the Chinese Communist troops in the Shanyin, Yinghsien and Hunyuan districts in southern Shansi Province. The enemy left about 110 dead, while the Japanese casualties totalled only 1 killed and 3 wounded.

Activities of the Japanese Military Air Forces

The Japanese Military Air Force visited Sian, capital of Shensi Province, and Sankiaochen in Anhwei Province on May 4th and effectively attacked the airfields there. The Japanese planes all returned to their base in safety.

The Teranishi air unit attacked the Chinese airfield at Kweiteh in northern Honan Province on May 10th. On the way back, this unit of 15 aeroplanes met about 30 Chinese planes of the E 15 type, of which the Japanese succeeded in shooting down 24 in the ensuing air combat.

In the encounter, the Japanese Saito plane crashed into the Chinese leader's plane in mid-air. Both fell to the ground, enveloped in flames. The Shimogata plane made a forced landing on an old riverbed of the Yellow River, but its crew were saved by the Tanaka plane which landed in face of the enemy in order to pick them up. Lieutenant Fukuyama was seriously injured in the air combat, but returned to the Japanese base, where he is making favourable progress, after a series of blood transfusions.

Clean-up Campaign North of the Yellow River

Remnants of the Chinese troops in southern Shantung, northern Honan and southern Shansi Provinces have indulged in the so-called guerilla warfare, of which the Chinese are so proud, but nowhere have they been successful in the face of the systematic, prompt Japanese counter-attacks, as may be seen in the following detailed account.

(1) At dawn, April 15th, about 600 Chinese attacked the Japanese Army Service Corps east of Puhsien in southwestern Shantung Province. At 6:30 o'clock, the same evening, another group of 400

Chinese attacked the same corps. On both occasions the Chinese were repulsed, leaving a total of about 100 dead. The Japanese casualties amounted only to 1 killed and 1 wounded.

(2) On May 6th, about 1,000 Chinese invaded Chenchai near the Yellow River, but were routed after fighting for 7 hours. The Chinese left 760 dead, but the Japanese suffered only 3 killed and 9 wounded.

Another strong body of Chinese invaded Liulukiu, south of Puhsien, on May 9th, but was driven southward after some 500 of its men were killed. Japanese casualties totalled 28.

(3) The Suko detachment dispersed a Chinese guerilla corps which invaded the area southwest of Fengkiu in northern Honan Province on April 12th. This detachment was also successful in attacking the enemy position on an island in the Yellow River. On April 15th it defeated another guerilla corps southeast of Fengkiu.

(4) The Japanese garrison at Sinsiang in northern Honan Province routed some 3,000 Chinese in the district northeast of Sinsiang on April 19th. The enemy left about 200 dead, while the Japanese casualties totalled only 5.

(5) The Inouye detachment defeated about 400 Chinese soldiers including some "Red Spear" bandits north of Hwaiking in northern Honan Province on April 25th. The Japanese casualties were 1 killed and 4 wounded, while the capture included 50 rifles, 1 light machine-gun, 150 spears and 50 Chinese swords.

(6) The Japanese garrison at Menghsien in northern Honan Province was attacked by about 1,500 Chinese on April 10th. The latter were routed after a 3-hour engagement. The enemy left about 300 dead ; on the Japanese side only 4 were wounded.

(7) During the same period, the Japanese garrison at Tsiyüan in northeastern Honan Province was attacked by some 3,000 Chinese who were routed after fighting for 8 hours. The enemy left about 500 dead and large quantities of arms and ammunition. The Japanese casualties numbered 10 killed and 49 injured.

(8) Early in April, the Japanese garrison at Pinglu in southwestern Shansi Province dispersed 3,000 Chinese who left 600 dead, 2 trench-mortars, 9 light machine-guns and 120 automatic rifles. On the Japanese side, 9 were wounded.

On April 12th and 13th, the same Japanese troops routed about 9,000 Chinese between Pinglu and Anyi. On the morning of April 18th, they defeated some 400 Chinese north of Pinglu. The enemy soldiers belonged to the 132nd division. 130 Chinese were killed, including a company commander. The Japanese captured 8 light machine-guns, 65 rifles, 1 trench-mortar and large quantities of arms

and ammunition.

Later in the day the Japanese garrison at Pinglu was again attacked by the enemy which was routed with heavy losses. The Chinese left about 250 dead, including the commanders of a battalion and a company. In the two engagements on April 18th, the Japanese lost 19 men ; 13 were wounded.

On April 19th, about 1,700 Chinese attacked this Japanese garrison, but were repulsed with heavy losses. The enemy left 482 dead, while the Japanese casualties included 1 killed and 4 wounded. The Japanese captured 14 light machine-guns and large quantities of arms and ammunition.

(9) On April 10th, the Japanese garrison at Juicheng in southwestern Shansi Province started operations against some 5,000 Chinese soldiers belonging to the 28th and 125th divisions and succeeded in dispersing them by the evening of April 12th.

(10) The Japanese garrison at Puchow, the southern terminus of the Tatung-Pukow Railway, engaged about 1,000 well-armed Chinese soldiers on April 14th. The following day, the garrison succeeded in routing them after fierce fighting. The enemy left about 150 dead while the Japanese casualties totalled 3 killed and 9 wounded.

On April 22nd, about 2,000 Chinese again attacked the Japanese garrison. The enemy left about 300 dead, while the Japanese casualties totalled 14. The enemy belonged to the Chinese 61st division, which was attempting to recapture Puchow which had been a source of supply for their provisions.

Again on April 24th, the enemy staged another attack on the Japanese garrison at Puchow, but was repulsed. The Chinese were some 5,000 strong and offered stiff resistance, but fled before a fierce Japanese counter-attack, leaving about 200 dead. The Japanese casualties were 1 killed and 10 injured.

On May 2nd, several thousand Chinese again attacked the same Japanese garrison. The numerical strength of the enemy steadily increased with the arrival of reinforcements. Their present strength is estimated at 8,000. To meet them, the Kumagai detachment and other fresh troops have dashed to Puchow. With the fresh reinforcements, the Japanese garrison at Puchow is now vigorously counter-attacking the Chinese invaders.

(11) The Japanese garrison at Jungho in southwestern Shansi Province was attacked by about 2,000 Chinese on April 10th, but repulsed them with heavy losses. The enemy left about 200 dead, while on the Japanese side only one man was wounded.

Part of the Japanese force encountered and defeated about 1,000

Chinese in the area southeast of Jungho on the afternoon of April 17th, while moving from Yüncheng to Jungho. This detachment entered Jungho on April 18th.

The Japanese garrison at Jungho attacked and routed some 1,000 Chinese soldiers 12 kilometres south of Jungho on May 5th. The enemy left 148 corpses, including that of a company commander, 58 rifles, 2 light machine-guns and a large quantity of ammunition. The Japanese casualties included 6 killed and 12 wounded.

(12) The Japanese garrison at Hotsin in southwestern Shansi Province attacked and dispersed about 300 Chinese in a mountain-pass at Yumenkow, north of Hotsin, on April 11th. About 700 Chinese attacked Hotsin, but were repulsed with heavy losses. The enemy belonged to the Chinese 42nd, 176th and 64th divisions. In these engagements, the enemy left about 850 dead, 8 automatic rifles and 450 ordinary rifles. The Japanese casualties included 6 killed and 17 wounded.

On April 13th, the Japanese garrison attacked and dispersed about 2,000 Chinese north of Hotsin. The enemy which belonged to the Chinese 42nd and 54th divisions left about 30 dead, 130 rifles and a large quantity of ammunition. The Japanese suffered no casualties.

The Nakayama detachment started from Hotsin on May 4th to free the region south of the Fen River from remnants of Chinese troops. This unit routed about 200 Chinese at a point 16 kilometres southeast of Hotsin.

(13) About 4,000 Chinese attacked the Japanese garrison at Siangsiang in southwestern Shansi Province at midnight, April 10th, but were repulsed with heavy losses after hot fighting. The enemy left about 500 dead, 1 trench-mortar, 15 automatic rifles and 12 machine-guns. The Japanese casualties included 10 killed and 28 injured.

At dawn, April 13th, the Japanese garrison attacked and dispersed a large body of Chinese belonging to the 61st, 15th and 85th divisions. The enemy left about 300 dead, while the Japanese casualties were only 1 killed and 3 wounded.

(14) The Japanese garrison at Kuwo in southwestern Shansi Province completed its military operations in the Icheng district northeast of Kuwo on April 24th. The Japanese defeated about 1,500 Chinese troops in 6 major engagements.

(15) The Japanese garrison at Lishih in western Shansi Province was repeatedly attacked by some 2,000 Chinese on and after the evening of April 24th. On each occasion, the Chinese were repulsed with heavy losses. The enemy left about 300 dead.

Part of the garrison attacked and routed 2,000 Chinese at a point 8

kilometres east of Lishih on April 26th. The enemy which belonged to the 427th brigade of the 71st division offered stiff resistance, but were forced to flee both to the north and south, leaving 277 dead.

On April 28th, the Japanese garrison was attacked by Chinese troops again, who were repulsed on May 1st. The enemy, however, made another attack on the garrison and severe fighting was in progress at the time of writing.

(16) The Japanese garrison at Chungyang in western Shansi Province began engagements with a large body of Chinese troops belonging to the 19th Army under General Wang Ching-kuo on April 26th.

(17) The Japanese garrisons at Fenyang and Wenshui in southern Shansi Province dispersed the enemy at a height west of Wenshui. The enemy left about 60 dead, but the Japanese suffered no losses.

(18) Early on the morning of April 25th, the Mano detachment drove west from Hwohsien and occupied Fensi, after a fierce 6-hour fight with 6,000 Chinese near Fensi. The enemy belonged to the 84th and 74th divisions which frequently molested the railway near Hwohsien. The Chinese fled toward Sihsien, leaving about 300 dead.

(19) The Japanese garrison at Ichow on the Tatung-Puchow Railway encountered about 1,000 Chinese on May 4th, while advancing on Tingsiang. After severe fighting for 5 hours, the garrison defeated the Chinese which belonged to the newly-organized 2nd division.

(20) On May 2nd, the Japanese garrison at Tangyin on the Peking-Hankow Railway attacked some 2,000 Chinese which had taken up positions at a point 24 kilometres west of Tangyin, and routed them with heavy losses.

Clean-up Campaign Against Communist Forces

The mountainous region in southwestern Shansi Province including Yushe, Wusiang and Tsinhsien had been infested by Chinese Communist forces for some time. Taiku, south of Taiyüan, capital of Shansi Province, was attacked by them at one time.

A clean-up campaign started by the Japanese Army on April 7th against the Communist troops was successfully concluded by the middle of April. The Japanese encircled the Communist-ridden region and reduced important towns one after another.

From April 7th up to April 17th, the Chinese Communist troops which engaged the Japanese forces aggregated about 40,000 men, consisting for the most part of Communist regulars under Generals Chu Teh and Tseng Wan-chung. They were severely defeated

by the Japanese forces, and were dispersed after leaving about 4,000 dead. Remnants of the Chinese Communist troops have fled to outlying districts, where, however, it is impossible for them to rally. An outline of the clean-up campaign against the Communist troops is given below.

(1) The Suzuki detachment drove north from Sihsien and took Shilu at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on April 2nd. This detachment continued its northern push on Yungho, which it reduced at 9 p.m., April 4th, after dislodging about 4,000 Chinese which had entrenched themselves north of Yungho. The enemy belonged to the 70th division and the 8th Route Army. Most of them fled into Shensi Province by crossing the Yellow River at a point west of Yungho. The Japanese Military Air Force pursued them, dealing out heavy losses.

On April 5th, the Suzuki detachment attacked the Chinese position at a point about 20 kilometres southeast of Yungho, which it succeeded in reducing the following evening. The enemy left about 250 dead, 30 mountain-guns, 30 trench-mortars, 30 machine-guns, 200 rifles, 25 automatic rifles, 20 horses and large quantities of ammunition. The Japanese casualties numbered only 1 killed and 10 wounded.

The Suzuki detachment engaged Chinese troops in the Sihsien, Shilu and Yungho districts on five occasions from March 28th to April 6th. The Chinese forces whose numerical strength aggregated about 20,000 men left 1,600 dead. Japanese casualties were negligible.

Part of the Suzuki detachment, on April 5th, made a surprise attack on the Chinese Communist "death-band," about 1,000 strong, which had taken up positions at a height south of Howmachen. The detachment succeeded in routing the Communist band. Only 3 Japanese were wounded.

Another part of the detachment routed about 700 Chinese which had invaded Mengchengchen. The enemy, which belonged to the Chinese 83rd Division, left about 60 dead.

(2) The Matsui detachment, after reducing Chungyang on March 21st drove south toward Shilu. On the way, the detachment dispersed about 1,000 Chinese at Shemingku on April 1st. The following day it defeated about 150 Chinese soldiers at Hantsun. In the two engagements, the enemy left about 60 dead, including a regimental commander. The Japanese suffered 4 wounded, but captured 2 motor-lorries and several automatic rifles.

(3) The Yamazaki detachment entered Shilu on April 3rd. Prior to that, this detachment dispersed about 200 Chinese soldiers at Siatienchuang on April 1st and another 100 near Shilu on April

2nd.

On April 7th, this detachment encountered about 700 Chinese at Shwangchihchen and dispersed them, after a 4-hour fight. The enemy left about 200 dead, while the Japanese suffered only 1 killed.

(4) The Koito detachment began operations from Linfen on April 2nd and reduced Antze, after dispersing about 500 Chinese near that town on April 4th and 600 more north of it the same day. The enemy left no less than 150 dead.

Part of this detachment followed up its victory and dispersed about 2,000 Chinese at Kuyang on April 6th and 500 Chinese near Hangyi at 8 p.m., April 7th. Early in the morning on April 8th, it succeeded in reducing Tsinyüan, one of the important bases of the Communist troops. The enemy left about 900 dead, but the Japanese casualties were negligible.

On the way back from Tsinyüan on April 15th, the Koito detachment attacked the Chinese troops which had established positions near Hochuanchen, about 28 kilometres south of Tsinyüan, and succeeded in dislodging them the following day. Pursuing the Chinese to the west, this unit overtook them at a point 8 kilometres west of Tsinyüan, dealing them a crushing blow.

(5) The Kudo detachment, early on the morning of April 8th, dislodged some 600 Chinese from their strongly-built positions southwest of Siangyüan which is situated approximately 32 kilometres west of Licheng. Following up its victory, at 8 o'clock on the same evening this detachment reduced Siangyüan itself, after fighting for 4 hours against a strong body of Communist troops armed with trench-mortars and machine-guns. Siangyüan was one of the most important bases of guerilla warfare for the Chinese Communist forces in Shansi Province.

The enemy forces in the Siangyüan area were about 3,000 strong, belonging to the Chinese 12th and 178th divisions. They left about 300 dead, 50 rifles, 9,500 rounds of ammunition, 50 hand-grenades, and large quantities of clothing and provisions.

On April 10th, the Kudo detachment swung north and dispersed about 2,000 Chinese which had established positions at a point 8 kilometres north of Siangyüan. On April 12th, the detachment reached the area southwest of Liaohsien. On April 16th, it attacked some 2,000 Chinese which had taken up positions at a point about 8 kilometres northeast of Siyingchen, and drove them southward with heavy losses. The enemy which belonged to the 3rd Army under General Tseng Wan-chung left about 350 dead.

(6) Those Japanese forces which advanced from Luan and Tunliu occupied Tsinhsien, another important base for the Chinese Communist

regulars, on April 10th, after clearing Yuwachen and Hutungchen of the remnants of Chinese troops on the way.

On April 12th, they reached Wusiang. The following day, they reduced Yushe, a vital base for the Chinese Communist forces.

On the way back to Luan from Yushe, they were attacked by about 20,000 Chinese east of Wusiang. Severe fighting lasted for 7 hours. The Japanese succeeded in driving the enemy to the northeast, after dealing them a crushing blow, though a veritable mêlée prevailed for a time. The enemy which belonged to the Chinese 12th, 115th, 129th, 89th, 62nd and 94th divisions left about 2,000 dead. This was the largest and most effective battle successfully conducted by the Japanese forces against the Chinese Communist troops in the recent clean-up campaign.

(7) One Japanese detachment advanced north from Shehsien to eliminate remnants of Chinese troops as well as Communist regulars, while another detachment pushed west from Shunteh. On April 14th, they purged Chinkaochen and Hwangyu.

(8) The Japanese force which drove south from Pingting succeeded in occupying Liaohsien, a Communist base at 9 o'clock on the morning of April 12th. After cooperating with the Japanese troops which had been operating in Kuaierhchen, this force began campaigns in Hoshun and Hsiyang.

(9) The Ishida detachment which pushed south from Taiku routed about 1,200 Chinese at Siaohungchen on April 10th. This detachment then attacked a strong body of Chinese troops which had taken up positions south of Siaohungchen.

(10) Another Japanese detachment dealt a crushing blow to some 200 Chinese soldiers near Changtienchen (about 20 kilometres southwest of Luan) and to 800 Chinese soldiers at a height about 4 kilometres south of Changtienchen on April 26th. The enemy left approximately 100 dead, but the Japanese suffered no losses.

II. FORCES OF THE IMPERIAL NAVY IN ACTION

Publicity Bureau, Navy Department

The Naval Air Force in China

REPEATED attacks made by Japanese naval aeroplanes have disorganized the Chinese Air Force which is on the verge of collapse. It has been given no opportunity to rally and reorganize itself. Some planes are still being imported into China and foreign aviators are being engaged by the Chiang Kai-shek Government, but all this is not sufficient to reconstruct the Chinese Air Force on a solid basis. All propaganda concerning the so-called successful reorganization of Chinese aviation is but an assumption of false power.

The vigorous and accurate attacks from the air by Japanese aviators have resulted not only in the destruction of Chinese air bases one after another, but also in the loss of a large number of superior foreign planes, including those of Soviet manufacture and the Gloucester Gladiators of British make, which have been shot down by the Japanese in aerial combat.

First-hand information concerning the accuracy of Japanese air attacks has been given by foreign correspondents in China who have witnessed Japanese raids. These newspapermen report that Japanese air attacks are directed solely against military establishments and never against private houses, so that the general public pursues business as usual even during Japanese air raids.

Mr. Vincent Schmidt, an American aviator who was a member of the Foreign Air Legion of China, in a press interview at Singapore on his way home from that country via Europe paid tribute to Japanese aviation for the bravery of its pilots and the superior quality of its aeroplanes.

Mr. Schmidt stated that the aeroplanes of the Japanese Naval Air Force are not only somewhat better than the planes used by him but that the Japanese Naval Air Force is the strongest in the world, skilled in air combats and bombing and experienced in aerial warfare. Mr. Schmidt cited a Japanese raid on Hankow as an instance. He recalled that the Japanese raiders dropped bombs from a height of about 2,000 metres, all of which hit the hangars or aeroplanes in the Hankow airfield, destroying over 30 aeroplanes in a single raid. Mr. Schmidt testified that not a single Japanese bomb

hit outside the airfield, nor was a single civilian killed by a Japanese bomb.

An outline of the activities of the Japanese Naval Air Force in China, from April 7th to May 1st is given below.

April 7th Central China : Ichang and Sinyang were visited where the airfields were attacked. On the way back, the Japanese naval planes met several Chinese pursuit planes at a point about 30 kilometres east of the Peking-Hankow Railway and shot down three of them.

South China : The airfield at Meihsien was attacked with the result that two hangars and one large building were damaged. The airfields at Tienho, Tsunghua and Pokwan were attacked. The Japanese raiders also attacked goods trains near Sitsun on the Canton-Hankow Railway. Hulishe Fort on Amoy Island was also bombed.

April 8th North China : Several Japanese naval planes attacked the Chinese positions at Lini in southern Shantung Province, in cooperation with the Army.

South China : A Japanese naval air unit visited Wongshek on the Canton-Hankow Railway and attacked goods trains near there. It also bombed the railway between Sitsun and Kongtsun. The airfield at Tienho was again raided where approximately 10 Chinese planes were bombed and burned. The explosives depot at the Tsunghua airfield was bombed and destroyed. Hulishe Fort was bombed again.

April 9th North China : A Japanese naval air unit visited Haichow, the eastern terminus of the Lung-Hai Railway and attacked Chinese troop concentrations and goods trains.

South China : Wongshek on the Canton-Hankow Railway was raided ; several goods trains were bombed, while the airfields at Meihsien and Changchow were attacked.

April 10th North China : A naval air unit attacked the military establishments at Jungcheng at the eastern extremity of Shantung Peninsula which had been turned into a base of operations by bandits. It also bombed the Chinese positions at Lini in southern Shantung Province in cooperation with the Japanese Army.

Central China : Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, was raided and the Chinese military establishments there, including those for military administration, were bombed and burned.

South China : Laitung and Pakonghow on the Canton-Hankow Railway were visited. Railway bridges south of Wushek and Shakow were bombed. The airfield at Pokwan near Canton was attacked, while Hulishe Fort on Amoy Island was bombed again.

April 11th Central China : The airfield at Chuchow was attacked.

South China : The airfields at Tsunghua, Lungyen and Meihsien were attacked, while the railway track near Yinchangyao was bombed.

April 12th North China : A Japanese naval air unit visited Mowping and attacked Chinese troop concentrations at a point about 30 kilometres south of Mowping.

Central China : Another naval unit visited Lishui and Ningpo and bombed the local airfields. Several hangars and military barracks were bombed. Taking advantage of the moonlight, the airfields at Nanchang and Hankow were bombed in a night flight.

South China : The airfields at Foochow and Kien-ow were bombed as were the airfields at Changchow and Chaochow.

April 13th North China : A Japanese naval air unit visited Haichow, the eastern terminus of the Lung-Hai Railway, and bombed the Chinese military establishments there.

South China : The airfields at Tienho and Pokwan near Canton were bombed. The Japanese raiders, in an ensuing aerial combat brought down 15 out of over 20 Chinese pursuit planes over Pokwan. The airfields at Chuchow, Wenchow, Foochow and Changchow were also bombed.

April 14th South China : A naval air detachment visited Kumha on the Canton-Hankow Railway and bombed the bridges and lines of communication there. The same unit also visited the Canton-Kowloon Railway and destroyed the railway bridge at Sheklung. The airfields at Tienho and Pokwan were bombed.

April 15th North China : Several Japanese naval planes visited Kusien, about 20 kilometres west of Chefoo, and attacked Chinese troop concentrations.

Central China : The airfield at Nanchang was raided and bombed by Japanese naval planes at night with the result that fires broke out at three places.

South China : The Canton-Hankow Railway lines between Laitung and Wongshek and tracks of the Canton-Kowloon Railway near Sheklung were bombed and destroyed.

April 16th South China : Japanese naval planes visited the Canton-Hankow Railway and bombed the bridges near Wushek, Shakow, Pakonghow and Hotow. The same planes also raided the Canton-Kowloon Railway and bombed the tracks between Changmutow and Tutang.

April 17th North China : Several Japanese naval planes visited Lini in southern Shantung Province and attacked Chinese troop concentrations in and round that city.

Central China : Three raids were made on Hankow before dawn ; the airfield was bombed.

South China : A Japanese naval air unit visited the Canton-Hankow Railway and attacked Chinese military establishments around Wushek Station and goods trains near Sitsun Station. It also bombed munition depots and hangars north of Yintak, destroying railway tracks and bridges. Several Japanese naval planes raided Canton and bombed and blew up the military arsenal northeast of the city.

The airfield at Pokwan near Canton was attacked with the result that several buildings were destroyed.

April 18th North China : Naval planes again raided Lini in southern Shantung Province and attacked Chinese troop concentrations. A gunpowder dump was bombed and exploded.

Central China : Night raids were made on Hankow, Wuchang and Siaokan whose airfields were attacked. An attack was also made on the aerodrome at Changshuchen in Kiangsi Province where many buildings were destroyed.

South China : Several Japanese naval planes visited the Canton-Hankow Railway and attacked and destroyed goods trains, railway bridges and tracks north of Yingtak. The Chinese military arsenal at Pakonghow was attacked and damaged by the Japanese raiders, who dropped scores of bombs on the building.

April 19th North China : A Japanese naval air unit visited Lini in southern Shantung and bombed the Chinese field artillery base. It also raided Likiachuang.

Central China : Wongsha Station on the Canton-Hankow Railway was bombed. The Canton-Kowloon railway was visited and the Chinese military establishments near Kumha were bombed.

April 21st Central China : Naval planes flew over Tatung, up the river from Wuhu, and bombed the Chinese military positions there, inflicting severe damage to them.

South China : The Canton-Kowloon Railway was visited and the railway track and bridge near Sheklung were bombed.

April 23rd South China : Despite adverse weather conditions, several Japanese naval planes reconnoitred the Canton-Hankow Railway and bombed Chinese goods trains between Pakonghow and Chuntien and also the gunpowder dump at Whampoa, which was blown up. A large-sized junk loaded with munitions was bombed and sunk off Saikonghow.

April 24th North China : The Japanese Naval Air Force attacked Chinese troop concentrations near Wenteng and dealt them heavy losses.

South China : The Canton-Hankow Railway was attacked at Yinchanyao, where locomotives and goods trains were bombed.

April 25th Central China : Several Japanese naval planes visited Chuchow and bombed the airfield where several buildings were destroyed.

April 26th North China : In cooperation with the ground forces, a naval air unit attacked several Chinese positions in southern Shantung Province inflicting much damage.

Central China : Naval planes flew over Kweiteh on the Lung-Hai Railway and bombed several troop trains in the vicinity.

South China : The Canton-Kowloon Railway was raided between Changping and Tutang where tracks and bridges were bombed. The airfield at Foochow was attacked.

April 28th North China : Several Japanese naval planes attacked Chinese bandits near Chefoo and Weihaiwei and routed them.

Central China : Hsuchow, the junction of the Lung-Hai and Tientsin-Pukow Railways was reached by Japanese naval planes which bombed the Chinese military establishments and troop trains there.

South China : Several airfields were attacked by Japanese naval planes, including one at Meihsien where two buildings were destroyed, one at Lungyen, where three large-sized planes were destroyed and another at Tsunghua, where several hangars were destroyed. Nanningkuo in Kwangsi Province was attacked with the result that the Chinese troop concentrations there were seriously jeopardized.

April 29th Central China : On the occasion of the Emperor's Birthday, scores of Japanese naval planes flew over Hankow in formation. A severe air combat took place between the Japanese raiders and over 80 Chinese planes which had been standing by. Depending on their far superior numerical strength, the Chinese planes challenged the Japanese raiders, who, however, succeeded in bringing down 51 Chinese planes, the heaviest loss ever inflicted on Chinese aviation in a single air combat since the outbreak of the China Affair.

The Japanese raiders also bombed the Chinese military arsenal at Hanyang, where three buildings were burned.

South China : Several Japanese naval planes raided Pokwan near Canton and bombed the airfield. These planes also visited Tsunghua and bombed the local airfield where several hangars were destroyed.

April 30th Central China : The Japanese Naval Air Force flew over Chuchow, bombing the aerodrome. It also raided Kweiteh on the Lung-Hai Railway where Chinese military establishments and goods trains were bombed.

South China : Several Japanese naval planes raided Nanningkuo

and attacked the Chinese military base there, inflicting heavy losses on the Chinese troops. The airfield at Changting in Fukien Province was also attacked.

May 1st North China : In cooperation with ground forces, Japanese naval planes attacked and bombed Chinese lines of communication at several important points.

South China : A naval air unit visited the Canton-Hankow Railway and bombed goods trains and railway tracks near Laitung as well as some locomotives near Lienkonghow. Chinese lines of communication were interrupted at such important points as Pitsun, Hohsu and Tsengcheng.

Chinese Losses in Aviation

Since the beginning of hostilities, the Japanese Naval Air Force has shot down in aerial combats and destroyed on the ground a total of 948 Chinese planes, excluding those destroyed together with hangars and those destroyed in night air raids up to May 1st. Japanese losses have totalled 82 planes.

Detailed figures concerning the Chinese losses follow :