740.0011 P.W./8–545: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 5—9:05 a.m.]
1289. Following is summary of Military Attaché’s report for week ending August 4:
Japanese troop withdrawal from non-strategic regions in China continued. Large forces in South and Central China were involved and further positions were abandoned.
In North China, considerable activity was reported in central Honan, west of Pinghan Railroad and south of Yellow River. Enemy has been withdrawing considerable of his combat strength from this region and replacing it with independent guard units recently organized and suitable for garrison duty.
In South and Central China, Japanese were finally cleared from Kweilin August 2 and city is said to have been totally wrecked by enemy, who are now retiring to the northeast. Indications are that main Japanese previous strength in Kwangsi-Hunan region has now gone north of Hengyang and most of it is moving rapidly into Yangtze Valley. The Japanese division which has been moving east from Changsha region is now said to be about 50 miles from Nanchang, and the 2 divisions which have been going north from Kan River valley are less than 100 miles away.
In Luichow Peninsula region a large Japanese movement has been reported. Air Reconnaissance reported 30 large junks moving through Hainan Strait and then moving northeast. Importance of this move cannot yet be determined nor number of enemy troops involved.
[Page 146]Japanese in French Indo-China reported to be moving forces away from Chinese border. This probably indicates contraction of their holding in order to concentrate around important city regions.
14th Air Force during week ending July 30 carried out 66 medium bomber flights and 763 fighter flights; this compares with preceding weeks 121 medium bomber and 609 fighter sorties. Of total sorties 17% were against North China targets, 34% South China, and 10% Indo-China. This distribution of attack, compared with previous week, represents shift to South China from North China with proportionate weight of attack in Indo-China and Central China remaining the same. Principal targets were communication lines, military installations and troop concentrations.