Japanese plans to launch the drive against these units were decided on as early as January 7, when a strong Japanese force was concentrated at Sunkiang, according to the Chinese report, The campaign was first started on the southern part of Whangpoo, where the irregular bands were scattered in all directions, escaping to Quinsan ani Wukiang, near Soochow.
Following up the successes, the Japanese sent a part of the force to Pootung to clear the district of the mobile units, A Chinese army officer named Li Po-chuen stationed in Tenghsien: was reported to have been arrested and executed by the Japanese.
The fighting strength of the C nese troops in Pootung is believed to be fairly strong, as a portion of the 56th Division has been incorporated into the mobile units. A group of the so-called puppets were said to have been rounded up by them ani shot dead.
Special precautionary measures were also reported to have been enforced by the Japanese in the western districts, where Chinese irregular bands remained active. In a surprise attack on a small band of Japanese troops near Szeking a few days ago, the Chinese inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. 3
Two Japanese gunboats were sent to Peilungkang on the coast tò assist in the Pootung campaign, it was reported in the Chinese circles yesterday afternoon.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.