Two fortied areas on the river banks, one guarding the Matowchen boom, another further up-river at Niangniangmiao, hod to be reduced Before control of the waterway was obtained.
Bitter fights were staged through thicklywooded territory studded with, concrete pillboxes, while at other points soldiers waded—neck-deep across muddy creeks to attack Chinese position' on the opposite banks, he most sanguinary engagement was fought outside Siangkow, 40 miles up-river from Anking, where the frst Japanese Army units were landed on June 24.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.