On September 18, three Japanese divisions under a heavy artillery and aerial barrage, "tied to cross the Hsinehiang river, north of Changsha, For six days, recording to General Kuan 'Lienstsing, the 'Group Army Commander of that area, the Chinese stood up under the attack. 'Their left 'Nank was threatened by the Japanes landing "at Yingtien, on Tungting Lake, "which if carried out would have' cut the rear of the Chinese defences along the Hsinchiang, The Chinese, neting under direct orders of Generalissimo Chiang Kai shek, withdrew to the south during the ight, Two divisions were sent cover the right and Toft flanks on the main route of the Japarese approach. "On. September" 30, the Japanese wore twenty miles. from Changsha, "On October 2, they were Felrenting to" the north, a. retreat which ad changed into' a. rout October 7, when Japanese troops, driving along the" Canton-Hankow railroad on. the right, and from Fenghsin, southwestward, on the lett, wore forced to draw back. both campaigns, the Chinese wore fully prepared to give up the {ertitory tothe Japanese. General Li Tsung-jen told this correspondent that only houses. and trees. were in northern Hupeh whea the Japanese entered. Foreigners at Chanasha taid every civilian. in the eily had been evacuated by September 25, anc full' preparations made to bur" the few remaining buildings.
Japanese "About-face"
Bach time, however, when within sight of their executed an fed to their origin to foreign military advisers, the. re= treats wore necessary to" prevent annihilation. Regulars of the Chinese surrounded the supply sand cutting all communes Hines. "Advancing. coinns lost con terrain made commuunieattons andi the despatch of reintareenente impos sible, when he of the "There is always the chance the Japenese could inflict terrific losses through their superior equipment if the Chinese tried to carey the allow, too far.
According to Chinese reports, the Japaneze have had little success. eerulling Chinese to fight under the Rising Sun flag. Eighteen thousand "puppet" troops participated in the Changsha drive; a similar number in the North Hupeh attempt. They were of, however, permitted to fight as Uniis but were supplementary to the Japanese regulars." Reports of the defection of these Chinese pour in to Chungking daily; If one-tenth them are true, the Japanese attern) fo, conquer China with Chinese wil General Li Tsung-jon told this correspondent that the Chinese reeapture of Lanfeng on the Lunghai was due to defection of "puppet" troops who apered the gates of the city to admit" Chinese" forces. many similar ecasions, the Chinese have been able to retake a city because of the defections. Many' times they retire when Japanese reinforcements arrive, but only. after heavy losses have been inflicted.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.