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Having announced at the press conference yesterday that the Japanese Army, assisted by the naval air arm, had occupied the Civic Centre at 10 am. the spokesman pointed out that, according to information obtained from prisoners, it would appear as though the Chinese were preparing for a general retreat, Further in support of his opinion, he observed that the spearhead of the Japanese Army, operating from their newly-established base at Yanghang, had driven the opposition back to the outskirts of Liuhang, where, however, they had consolidated their position for the time being. Japanese troops also were pressing on toward Kiangwan and Tachang. Japanese aerial observers likewise were of the opinion that there was a general retreat of Chinese troops along all fronts, with the Possible exception of the greater portion of the Chapei area.
The spokesman further mentioned ihat the local troops had prepared heavy defences, including concrete pillboxes and emplacements at Kiangwan Village before the present incident, but he was of the opinion that the retreating army would not utilize these for a secondary defence, but that they would drop back to other positions. The Japanese had quite well flattened the long salient which had projected from the Civic Centre toward the Military Road, but he added, there were still Chinese troops in the neighbourhood of this highway.
Questioned whether the many fires yesterday: in Yangtzepoo and beyond Were lighted by retreating Chinese or advancing Japanese troops, the spokesman said that prisoners had stated that their orders were to burn all villages which they evacuated. He was of the opinion that at least 50 per cent. of the fires could be attributed to the Chinese soldiery. Land mines were a source of concern to the advancing troops, particularly at night. During the day, however, deploying parties found them under bridges and on roads, but rendered them harmless. Isolated cases had been reported that soldiers foraging for vegetables were killed by mines which had been buried in ihe gardens. The speaker concluded that the troops had leamed their Jessen.
Plane Among Booty A crippled Chinese plane, which had apparently been forced down some time ago, was among the "large quantities of arms, munitions and other war material" captured by the Japenese Special Naval Party units that yesterday morning captured the Far Eastern Race Course in Kiangwan, a Japanese communique stated yesterday.
The occupation of the race course and of the adjoining Yinsiangkiang village, the announcement indicated, was effected without much effort.
Noticing that the Chinese troops in this sector appeared demoralized, the communique said, a raiding party was sent out from the detachment under the command of Lieut-Commander Akira Shibakita. This force occupied the ráce course at 6 o'clock.
Following an all-day combat with Chinese troops in the Lotien sector, Japanese troops in the vicinity of Lotien and Yuehpoo last night succeeded in linking their lines, the headquarters of the Japanese expeditionary'forees announced at 10 o'clock last night.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.