Sept. 21.
Braving a semi-tropical downpour of rain, Japanese forces at eight o'clock this morning launched a determined drive across muddy fields against Chinese positions south-west of Lotien, Following an intensive artillery barrage, infantrymen trudged knee-deep in mud toward villages dimly visible in the haze, Breaking through Chinese opposition, the Japanese forces occupied Chiangehia village and five other hamlets in three hours of combat.
This advance placed under the Japanese control the Shanghai-Liuho motor road between Lotien and Eiuhong. At noon, the Japanese ad: vance was still continuing.—Domei, Minor Engagements Only took place during the few days al.
No fighting of major importance
though sporadic engagements for the possession of small and obscure vil-leges along the fronts were reported. Japanese attacks, invariably preceded bombing, were Jaunched, but these by heavy shelling and sometimes
defenders, according to the Chinese successfully repulsed by the
yesterday.
The Japanese were also reported to have called, for the fourth time, for reinforcements, a part of which' was said to have arrived., Pending the arrive) and distribution of the new army division, no severe attack is expected from the Japanese, information from Chinese sources said. Six army divisions of Japanese infantry are known to be taking part in the Shanghai hostilities.
The following engagements were reported by a Chinese military spokesman at a press conference yesterday:
Early Monday morning, about 400 Japanese bluejackets, accompanied by five tanks, attempted to advance along Recreation Ground Road in the direction of Tichiapang. After an hour's fighting, the Japanese withdrew, About 3,000 metres east of Liuhang and south of the Paoshan-Liuhang
Chenche, Wangehe and Wangehiufang highway, Japanese troops attacked the line. 'The enemy forces were driven off. Previous to the attack, Japanese artillery shelled the regions along the Touchialung' to Wangchiufang line with considerable, intensity.
Chinese positions at Yangehiatsun and Sootsun, two villages situated north-west of Lotien, were heavily bombed by Japanese aeroplanes on Sunday afternoon, This was followed by artillery shelling during the night, One battalion of Japanese infantry then attacked shortly before mid-night all along the line from Sootsun to Kushoutsun. They were successfully held back by Chinese troops, which, at sunrise next morning, successfully occupied the line from Sootsun northward to Kushoutsun and westward to Hsisungche. Enemy losses were believed to be very heavy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.