Japanese forces engaged in mopping-up operations in the eastern part 9f Hainan Island were attacking Kachek, important communication centre, and the city was expected *o be occupied shortly, according to a message reaching here today.
A Japanese detachment launched an assault on the city at 2.30 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Chinese forces set fire to the city, according to the message.
Chinese troops stationed there number about 1,300 commanded by Lieut.-Col. Liu Hsun and Gen. Wang I. They fell back on the city after being defeated in battles in the Wencheong area. Kachek is the second largest city on the island and is strategically located on land and sea routes of communication—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.
