Chungking, Apr. 17.
NCREASING activity by the Chinese Air Force is claimed by Chinese military circles here, which state that Chinese bombers have twice recently raided the aerodrome at Hangchow.
The Chinese military spokesman today declared that two strategic points in Kwangtung, to the east and north of Canton, were again in Chinese hands, stating that the Chinese had recaptured Tsengchen and Huahsien.
Various reports from the front indicate that the Chinese Air Force is giving active support to the present attacks which are being launched by the Chinese ground forces.
Chinese aircraft are stated to have staged a night raid on the Hangchow aerodrome at the beginning of last month; and it is now claimed that Chinese planes again raided the aerodrome, situated in the vicinity of Chienchiao, at noon on April After dropping bombs on the aerodrome, it is stated, the Chinese bombers reconnoitred above the city of Hangchow. There was heavy anti-aircraft fire, reports reaching here declared but no Japanese planes went up to engage the raiders.
Chinese aircraft are also sid to have been bombing Japanese positions in south Shansi south of the Chuntiaoshan mountains.
Referring to the reported recapture of Tsengshen, the Chinese military spokesman declared today that the city was of "especial importance from the military point of view. He added that the city controlled Sheklung, situated on the Canton-Kowloon Railway to the south of Tsengshen.
To the west, he added, the city controlled the southern section of the Cnnton-Harfkow Railway, thereby exerting pressure on Canton.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.