740.0011 Pacific War/6–2744: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 27—10:16 a.m.]
1118. Information from Chinese Intelligence corroborates the impression general among foreign observers in Chungking that no appreciable resistance to southward drive of Jap forces down the Hsiang [Page 110] River from Changsha is being offered by Chinese troops who are now reported virtually to have abandoned Hengyang, leaving in it a small token force. Some Chinese forces and supplies are said to have been moved to Kweilin which is now also being evacuated by the civil population.
As of midnight June 26, Hengyang had not been occupied by the enemy but small units of plainclothesmen were reported close to it and Chinese communiqué reports severe fighting in outer defenses. Foreign military observers estimate that at present rate of progress Jap forces might reach Kweilin 5 days after fall of Hengyang which is expected soon.