Treaties, Laws and Speeches

THE SITUATION IN CHINA

I

ACTIVITIES OF THE JAPANESE MILITARY FORCES

BUREAU OF INFORMATION, WAR DEPARTMENT

The Chinese "Winter Offensive"

The so-called Chinese April and September offensives ended in miserable failures before our vigorous counter-attacks. In December, 1939, the Chinese forces launched their "winter offensive," which kept our troops busy.

Generally speaking, it must be noted that the European War has exercised adverse effects on the Chiang Kai-shek régime, while our campaign near Pakhoi has added to the difficulty of the Chungking Government in securing war supplies from abroad. In addition to which, the movement by Wang Ching-wei and his followers for the establishment of a new Central Government in China, which has been achieving steady progress during 1939, has induced, not only leaders of the Chungking Government, but the Chinese masses, to pay more attention to peace. This serious turn of the situation, both at home and abroad, made Chiang Kai-shek resort to a "winter offensive" for the benefit of home and foreign consumption. The new operations, apparently, were planned systematically, with the Yangtze front as the main centre of activities and with a considerable force mobilized.

1. The Front North of the Yangtze

In the Singyang sector, fighting became very brisk around December 10. Two divisions of the Chinese forces were routed near Yanghaochen on December 14, while a force of similar strength was driven north by our troops near Changtaikwan three days later.

In the Suehsin, Anlu, Kiukowchen, Sientaochen and Anking sectors, fairly strong forces attacked us between the 12 and 22 December but were in every case repulsed despite heavy reinforcements which they had summoned.

2. The Front South of the Yangtze

In the Yochow, Tungcheng, Tsingyang and Wuning sectors, all Chinese moves between the 16 and 24 December ended in failure, requiring their immediate withdrawal before our counter-attacks, while heavy losses were inflicted on them in the Tsingan, Fengsin, Nanchang and Tsingyang sectors.

3. The North China Front

That section of the Peking-Hankow Railway between Sinsiang and Changte, in Northern Honan Province, was tampered with by Chinese troops, but the damage was slight. Necessary repairs were immediately made by our railway corps so that the train service was not interrupted.

In the South Shansi sector, along the Tatung-Puchow railway, a severe blow was dealt the Chinese at Kianghsien and Hotsin resulting in their fleeing to the Tahsing Mountains, dividing Shansi from Honan Province. At Luan, in South-East Shansi, no activity was recorded.

4. The Inner Mongolia Front

Chinese troops, about one division strong, attacked Paotow, the western terminus of the Peking-Suiyuan Railway on the morning of December 20, but were driven away with heavy losses on the afternoon of December 23.

5. The South China Front

The Chinese armies in South China had been preparing a winter offensive since the end of November, but met with a large-scale counter-attack by our troops and were dislodged from their positions in the mountainous area east of the North River. We made a sweeping drive northward and destroyed the enemy bases at Yungyun, Sanhwachen and Yingtak, thus dealing the armies under General Yu Han-mou a crushing blow. Mopping-up operations succeeded this gain.

It is ascertained that the Chinese troops confronting us in that region, up to January 1, numbered some 100,000 strong. They lost about 15,000 killed and 2,000 prisoners. Japanese booty included 8 trench-mortars, 20 heavy machine-guns, 95 light machine-guns, 3 anti-aircraft guns, 2,600 rifles, 9,000,000 rounds of ammunition and 4,000,000 shells.

A push along the Canton-Hankow Railway succeeded in driving the enemy from Yinchanyao and Yuntam, some 60 kilometres north of Canton, between December 1 and 21 and in capturing Yintak late December 30.

A detachment, moving from Tsungfa, routed a division of Chinese troops to the northeast of that town on December 22, reaching Leungkowhu on December 25 and Lutienhu on December 27.

Another column from Tsengshing dislodged two divisions of Chinese troops from Yunghanhu on December 17 and advanced to Meikang late December 26. Reducing Yungyun, this column, on December 31, occupied Sanhwachen, headquarters of General Yu Han-mou, Commander-in-chief of the Chinese armies in Kwangtung Province for the past year.

The Kwangsi Campaign

Nanning, the former capital of Kwangsi Province, was cleared of Chinese troops on November 26, 1939, entry having been effected two days previous to that. Out of a garrison of 6,000 men 2,200 were killed. Our casualties were about 200 killed and wounded, and our booty included 4 artillery pieces, 6 machine-guns, 48 light machine-guns and 264 rifles.

Part of these retreating troops massed along the line connecting Pinyang, Yungshun and Luowhan, some 60 kilometres east of Nanning, and part concentrated in a mountainous area near Wuming. Here they reorganized themselves for a counter-attack. Mopping-up operations against Chinese regular forces and guerillas took place in Western Kwangtung and Southern Kwangsi Provinces.

1. The Nanning Sector

A strong position on a height near Patang, about 40 kilometres northeast of Nanning, was taken by us on December 3, the enemy leaving behind some 500 dead, 1 heavy machine-gun and 75 rifles. We made 5 prisoners. Our losses were 9 killed and 61 injured.

Another detachment operated from the night of November 30 against Takaofeng, and dealt 3,000 enemy troops a crushing blow. They lost 1,062 killed and 8 prisoners. Booty included 7 howitzers, 5 heavy machine-guns, 7 light machine-guns, 285 rifles and 8 telephones. Our casualties were 12 killed and 47 injured.

The defeated Chinese troops, on December 4, massed along a line north of Chiutang, some 45 kilometres northeast of Nanning. With the arrival of reinforcements, they started another attack, on December 18, along the Pinyang-Nanning highway. They were some seven divisions strong and well-equipped with artillery and tanks. On the evening of December 21, several enemy planes appeared near Chiutang and attacked our positions but did no damage. Japanese detachments dashed from Nanning to Chiutang to encircle the Chinese forces.

Chinese guerillas were active at Wutsunhu, Tangpaohu, Tatanghu and other places, between 30 and 40 kilometres south of Nanning.

In the morning of December 25, three Chinese planes bombed Nanning airfield but did no damage.

The Chinese troops engaged around Nanning were 10 divisions strong.

2. The Yamchow Sector

At noon, December 7, a detachment advanced to Niukanghsu, about 20 kilometres northeast of Yamchow, and dislodged the enemy from along the line between Pingkihsu and Tsingtanghsu, besides defeating them at Hsiaotunghsu. The Chinese left some 400 dead. Our casualties were 10 killed and 12 wounded.

3. The Lungchow Sector

After their occupation of Nanning, our forces drove upon Lungchow, the southwestern extremity of Kwangsi Province, in order to cut off the arms supply route from French Indo-China. Dislodging a small number of Chinese troops holding Tunhsu and Ningming, and repairing the roads and bridges which had been destroyed, they occupied Lungchow and Chennankwan on the evening of December 21.

Japanese booty at Lungchow included 27,000 gallons of gasoline, 6,500 gallons of heavy oil, 16,000 kilogrammes of lead, 5,000 brass bars, and

large quantities of arms and ammunition. That taken at Chennankwan, awaits further investigation. From this, it is evident that Lungchow and Chennankwan were important centres on the route of arms-supply to the Chiang Kai-shek Government from French Indo-China.

II

JAPANESE NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE CHINA AFFAIR

PUBLICITY BUREAU, NAVY DEPARTMENT

CONTENDING against very inclement weather, our warships carried out a blockade of the China coast including Shantung, Kiangsu, Chekiang, Fukien and Kwangtung Provinces, thus cutting off the sea-routes of arms supply to the Chiang Kai-shek régime. Key points on the China coast have been occupied by our naval forces, while fleets of troop transports have been successfully escorted by our warships, which also covered landing operations of military units effectively.

Inland waters in China, including the Yangtze, Pearl, Kwan, Sheyang and other rivers, and Poyang and other lakes, have been put under our control, mines swept, booms and other obstructions removed, while remnants of the Chinese troops and guerillas which infested the shores have been suppressed. Our lines of communication along these channels have been thus efficiently maintained.

The naval air force has effectively co-operated in, and made substantial contributions to the success of, operations started by warships, landing-parties and military units. It is also helping to break the enemy's resistance by daring attacks on military works and air bases in the rear of the Chinese lines.

Tightening of the Blockade: Our Navy has succeeded in effectively suspending Chinese shipping within the past two years with the avowed object of cutting off the arms supply to the Chiang Kai-shek régime from abroad by way of the sea. In view of the fact, however, that third-Power vessels provided the Chungking Government with war supplies by plying between foreign ports and Chinese ports not yet in our occupation, our Navy completely blockaded the following twelve ports from late in June to the middle of September: Wenchow, Foochow, Chuanchow, Tungshan, Chaoan, Swabue, Hinghwa, Santuao, Loyuan, Shating, Haimen and Meichow.

Hainan Campaign: On February 10, 1939, the Japanese Navy not only covered the landing of military units on the shore of Tengmai Bay, in the north of Hainan Island, but co-operated with the troops in occupying Hoihow (Haikow) and Kiungchow. On February 14, a naval force landed near Samah Port and occupied the area adjoining. Order has been restored over the island, all enemy troops and guerillas having been driven out.

The Clean-up Campaign in Haichow and Hwaiyin Districts: In co-operation with the military clean-up campaign in Haichow and Hwaiyin areas, our naval force covered the landing operations and, on February 28, opened up

the Kwan River which flows into Siangshui Port; while the Sheyang River, which empties into Fowning, and the Linhung River, which flows into Haichow, were opened to traffic on March 8 and 11 respectively.

Nanchang Campaign: In concert with the military drive on Nanchang, capital of Kiangsi Province, naval detachments sailed up Lake Poyang and the Siushui and Wushui Rivers. Despite the inclement weather, they succeeded in opening a waterway as far as Nanchang on April 3. Some warships reached Shengmeichieh.

Swatow Campaign: On June 21, 1939, a naval detachment covered the landing operations of military units at the mouth of the Siki River, opening up the port of Swatow the same day.

Occupation of the Chusan Islands: From May 21 to July 17, naval detachments occupied Taishan and other scores of islands belonging to this group.

The Siangkiang Campaign: On September 23, 1939, a naval detachment covered the military landing near Yingtien successfully, opening up the Siangkiang River for a distance of 40 miles, disposing of 560 mines and removing booms.

The Clean-up Campaign in the Kaoyu Lake District: In concert with the military clean-up campaign in Kaoyu and Paoying areas, the naval detachment succeeded in opening the waterway to Paoying on October 3, to Chiangchiapa on October 4 and to Tienchang on October 7.

The Drive on Chungshanhsien: In co-operation with military units, our men occupied Chungshanhsien on October 7, withdrawing 3 days later, after defeating the enemy.

Safeguarding of the Waterways on the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers: The Japanese naval force is making strenuous efforts to safeguard the waterways on the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers which form the major lines of communication for the operations in Central and South China.

Remnants of the Chinese troops are still active along the lower reaches of the Yangtze. Our shipping is bombarded by enemy artillery at one or two points at irregular intervals, but these attacks are invariably silenced.

The Nanning Campaign: On November 15, warships effectively covered the landing operations of military units on the shores of Yamchow Bay. A base for sea-planes was also established.

Activities of the Naval Air Force

Our naval air force has made close co-operation with the operations of warships, landing parties and military units, achieving signal successes. In the Nanning campaign, the naval-air units efficiently co-operated with the ground forces. In doing so, however, they strictly adhered to the principle of respecting the rights and interests of third Powers, frequently in the face of certain disadvantages and sacrifices.

Attacks on the Arms-supply Routes in Kwangsi Province: While attacking and destroying Chinese military establishments all over China, the naval air-units have been intensifying their attacks on the arms-supply routes from French Indo-China through Kwangsi Province via Nanning, Liuchow and Kweilin.

Attacks on Hinterland Points: Points in the hinterland, to which the

Japanese naval air force has paid special attention, are Mengtze on the Haiphong-Yunnanfu railway in Southeastern Yunnan Province, Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, Luchow in Southern Szechuan Province, Chengtu, capital of Szechuan Province, Suining in Central Szechuan Province, Sian, capital of Shensi Province, Lanchow, capital of Kansu Province, and Chungking, seat of the Chiang Kai-shek Government. These points have been attacked by naval air-units from time to time in order to destroy the Chinese air force and to obliterate their military establishments. The naval air force has raided Chungking twenty times, destroying government buildings and military works.

Results of the Operations of the Naval Forces

Up to December 20, 1939, the naval forces, including the air arm, have inflicted the following losses on the Chinese:

1. Chinese Mines Discovered and Disposed of:

Comparative Losses in Japanese and Chinese Aeroplanes

1. Number of Chinese Aeroplanes Shot Down or Destroyed on the Ground

2. Japanese Losses

The Japanese losses in aeroplanes were 63 in 1937, 50 in 1938 and 29 in 1939, totalling 142.