A Japanese Air Base, May 1.
Executing 44 raids in a three-day period from April 26 to 29, Japanese army aircraft succeeded in disperse ing heavy Chinese troop concentrations along the west bank of the upper Han River, from Shayangchen, 50 kilometres north-east of Shasi, Yangtze River port, to areas opposite Anlu, it was revealed here today.
More than 200 machines took part in this series of operations, during which 1,500 bombs of a total weight of 150 tons were released.
More than 10,000 casualties were believed to have been inflicted upon the Chinese who were massed in towns and villages on a 25-kilometre front along the river. Pilots reported that almost every habitation centre in the area was "swarming" with Chinese troops.
On Wednesday, as the period of mass raids was launched, 15 bombers attacked Chinese troop concentrations and supply bases at Shanyangchen. Twenty-five other machines attacked Chienyang, Shihlipu, and Chingchow, major Chinese positions on the west bank of the river.
Supply depots and military establishments on the outskirts: of Ichang were also bombed on Wednesday.
Without allowing the Chinese any respite, another large air unit again bombed Chingmen and Shayangchen on Thursday.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.