Kiangsi Provinge, Mar. 18.
Pushing rapidly westward. Jopanese forces, which this morning cupied Xaoan, this afternoon cap tured Hutsun. 18 kilometres north of Kaoan, and Shihnaohsu, 8 kilometres west of Kaoan. army authorities dis~ closed, The Japanese were reported to be: continuing o lightning advance west- Chi ward, driving remnants of the Chi nese 74th Army before them.
Latest reports reaching _heod-Jquarters revealed that Japanese columns have advanced to a point 32 kilometres. northwest of Kaoan, strategic Chungking stronghold which fell into Japanese hands on Monday night.
Chingking's 70th Army is in full retreat and has abandoned Kwamen-Tow, 10- kilometres northwest of Fenghwangehu, which was occupied last night by Japanese forces, Tangpu River Crossed In Kiangsi, Mar. 20.
Smashing their way across Chinese defence lines along the Tangpu river by "crossing the waterway" under withering Chinese machine-gun and rifle fire. Japanese forces this morning succeeded in splitting in two a strong Chungking cpneentration of 50,000. men.
The "spectacular erossing of the Tongpu river, which runs north and south approximately 30 kilometres; feast of Shangkao. took place under cover of a heavy morning mist which shrouded the valley.
'As soon as they obiaifted a foot hold, "Japanese columns advanced rapidly westward occupying Kans} howling village. two kilometres north of the town of Kuanehiaokai. which was seized yesterday, 'The head quarters of Chungking's 74th Army' tunder General Wang Yaowu were Toeated at Kuanchiaokai.
As one portion of the "Japanese: forces swung into action against remnants of Chinese troops, fleeing! southward from Kuanchiaokai, one fying column dashed westward, toward Shangkso, major Chinese base 310, kilometres from Shangkao.
"The successful Japanese thrust has caught approximately 100.000 Chung-King. troops along the Kin and pocket. bia 5 Tangou vers in. a semi-circular:
Japanese Army planes, inaugural ing more active operations against \Chinese positions in Kiangsi Province. inflicted heavy damages on Chinese troops and military establishments.
One group of Japanese planes dispersed "5.000 Chinese troops. which Score moving westward five kilos} metres south of Shitow, and 11 kilometres west of Hweitow.
Japanese aircraft, cooperating with Jground forces along the Tangpu River. branch of the Kin River, cons firmed that Japanese troops had tered Kwanchingehiet yesterday after-
Another Japanese squadron bombed Chinese troops around Yingkangling, 35 kilometres south of Kacan—
Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.