Hankow, May 8.
N the air and on land, Japanese forces in northern Hupeh today launched a general offensive aimed at "annihilating" the main Chinese force defending the Fifth War Zone, a communique issued by the Japanese Expeditionary Force to Central China at 11 o'clock this morning revealed.
Japanese land forces deployed along a 100. jometre front extending from Sinyang on the Peiping-Hankow Railway westward to Anlu, on the Han River, began 'a concerted advance carly today, according to the announcement, Anlu is also known as Chuhghsiang, Preparations for the offensive, the _communiq) continued, were completed last night after various Chinese salients had been reduced by a concerted action of the air force and land troops in the last few days, "AL the same time, however, the The Japanese front lines early communique states, another column today ran through Chehoshih, 10 kilo-fof Chinese troops was despatched to, metres south-east of Sulhsien, pivotal the East gate, where they raided and int in the Chinese defence scheme. set fire to the Japanese aerodrome High spirits prevail among and depots outside the city. fofeers and men in spite of the heat,"
Chinese troops are said to be con-the announcement declared. tinuing their assault on Anking—South of Siangyang
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.