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 opneentration of 50,000 men, The spectacular crossing of the Tangpu river, which runs north and south approximately 30 kilometres east of Shangkao, took place under cover of a heavy morning mist which shrouded the valley.
As soon as they obtained a foothold, Japanese columns advanced rapidly westward occupying Kand howling village, two kilometres north of the town of Kuanchiaokai, which was seized yesterday. The headquarters of Chungkings 74th Army under General Wang Yao-wu were located at Kuanchiaokai.
As one portion of the Japanese forces swung into action against remnants of Chinese troops fleeing southward from Kuanchiaokai, one flying column dashed westward toward Shangkao, major Chinese base 110 kilometres from Shangkao.
The successful Japanese thrust has caught approximately 100,000 Chungking troops along the Kin and Tangpu rivers in a semi-circular pocket.
Japanese Army planes, inaugurate 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 were moving westward five kilo metres south of Shitow, and 11 kilometres west of Hweifow.
Japanese aircraft, cooperating with ground forces along the Tangpu River, branch of the Kin River, cons firmed that Japanese troops had entered Kwanchingchief yesterday afternoon.
Another Japanese squadron bombed Chinese troops around Yingkangling, 35 kilometres south of Kaoan—Domei.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.