Canton, Feb. 15.
"After defeating the plan of General Chiang Kai-shek to recapture Nanning, the Japanese forces withdrew from the Pingyang plain to the vicinity of Nanning on February 12," states a communique issued today by the Japanese Expeditionary Forces in South China—Reute Chinese Recapture Hofei Chungking, Feb. 16.
Chinese forces have recaptured Hofei Luchow), on the north. bank of the Yangtze River, following the launching of a surprise attack in Anhwei on February 11, according. to Chinese repens received here today.
'AS Chinese troops launched an assault against Hofei, it is stated, Chinese plain-clothesman inside the town attacked the Japanese from within.
'The attack is said to have taken the Japanese by surprise, with the result that the Chinese quickly overpowered the Japanese garrison, capturing 200 rifles and four feld' guns.
The Japanese are reported 10. thave immediately rushed reinforce. ments to Hotel, but they are claimed. to have been intercepted by the Chinese at a point south of the town.
One Japanese heavy bomber, the reports add, was shot down by Chi. nese anti-aircraft fire when Japanese aircraft assisted their troops by: bombing Chinese positions—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.