Hailai, July 3.
LI advanced positions held by Soviet and Outer Mongol troops are reported to have been captured following the launching of a vigorous offensive last night by mixed Japanese and Manchoukuo forces in the areas of Changchingmiao, Nero height and Nomanham, which are alleged to have formerly formed part of Manchoukuo but to have been recently occupied by Mongols. Furious fighting is still in progress in these regions, which are approximately 180 miles south-west of Hailar.
Today I saw Japanese light artillery bombarding Mongol positions, particularly in Nomanham, a 150-foot hill. The hilltop, the only observation post left in the' hands of the Mongols in this sector, was soon a mass of smoke and flames.
The offensive was preceded by a severe bombardment. "The Komatsu-ara unit opened the attack, supported by mechanized units and heavy machine-guns.
'Japanese planes were extreniely active throughout the day, bombers aiding bases and chasers' machine gunning Soviet forward positions and lines of communtcation.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.