Japanese vanguards, the communique continued, were already in areas south of Siangyang, on the upper Han River, last night. Siangyang is 125 kilometres north-west of Anlu, also known as Chunghsiang.
Twenty Chinese divisions, commanded by Gen. Li Tsung-jen, Kwangsi leader, and Gen. Teng En-po, the announcement estimated, were entrenched in the area between Sing-yang on the Peiping-Hankow Railway and Anlu. Taking advantage of the favourable topography, suited for defence, these Chinese forces had been busily constructing trenches for the last six months.
In official communiques, the Japanese announcement went on, the Chi-hose command had said that reinforcements had been sent to this area.
"Pretending that these forces still had some fighting ability left in them, the Chinese command misled the people at home and abroad by boastfully publicizing the results of their offensives," the Japanese communique declared.
After preparations to "lure" these Chinese forces "into a trap," had been completed the Japanese forces along the entire north Hupeh front had unloosened a vigorous offensive, with the air force extending close cooperation, the announcement said.
Japanese troops were advancing from all sectors, one 20-kilometre breach having been created in the Chinese main front, the communique concluded.—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.