Meanwhile, the dispatches continue, as the Japanese forces were penetrate ing into the Chungtiao mountains and further away from their base in the railway zone, the Chinese forces gradually took up their designated positions on both flanks of the Japanese troops. A high Chinese commander personally proceeded to the front to direct the Chinese counteroffensive, which is stated to have started on June 24.
The fighting is reported to have been especially severe at Tangwangshan, south-east of Wenhsi, at Fichiashan, south of Hwenlingkwan, and also at Wangmaocheng, and Chentsun, north of Yuanchu.
By nightfall on June 25, the dispatches state, the entire Japanese force retreated in three columns back to the railway zone. One of these columns is said to have headed for Hsiahsien and another for Wenhsi The main body is reported to have withdrawn to the north from Kaolo.
Chinese troops, the dispatches conclude, recaptured Yuanchu on June 25, inflicting over 5,000 Japanese casualties—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.