Hankow, July 27.
Huge fires were now raging io Kiukiang, a Chinese military communique stated tonight. The main body of the Chinese forces, which withdrew towards the south-west, had already formed a new defence lin the communiaué declared.
Chinese military authorities said they believed that, with the heavy Chinese reinforcements now pouring into the Kiukiang sector, it would be very dimeult for the Japanese to advance westward along the south bank. of the Yangtze River. Foreign reports received in Hankow from Kiu-Kinng today said that the Aghting in the city had subsided last night.
The river min boat TOMS, Cockchafer (625 tons) and the USS. Monocacy, which are at present stationed throu miles above Kiukia are expected to return to the city soon ax the situation becomes Shanghai, July 28.
Mopping up of remnants of defeated Chinese soldiers has been com-meted by Japanese bluciackets in the Kiukinng area, Javanese Fleet authorities nnnotineed in a communique sued yesterday morning.
The Japanese forces were oneaced in making 9 elean-no of floating mines around Kiukiang. the com= muniaué said, Bluelackets who went to. Kivlelang aboard warships on Monday completely occupied Klukiang on July 26, Referring to activities of naval planes near Kiukiang on July 26, the Jrommuniaué said they bombed Chinese" soldiers near—Siaochikow. apposite Kiukiang, and raided Tehan. "bout 60 kilometres south-west Kiukiang alone the Kianasi Railway.
At both places accumulated munitions were set on fire, Spotting Chinese troops and trucks! near Shihlipu, south of Kiukiang. the narial attackers inflicted heavy dam-sze on them by bombing soldiers, horses, eld suns and trucks, the One Kiangkun type river gunboat as sunk by the naval planes at a noint' three miles from Whangshih-'Wiang, about 110 metres north-west of iuklang along the Yanetze. accord-ne to. the communique. The boat tae concealed in a shed on the north bank of the Yangtze.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.