740.0011 P.W./5–2845: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received—4:38 p.m.]
857. Following is summary of M[ilitary] A[ttaché]’s report for week ending May 26:
During the past week the enemy has been engaged on large scale troop movements throughout China. Chinese intelligence feels that this marks the commencement of a strategic withdrawal of the best Japanese units from the interior to vital areas along the coast. The 69th Division, formerly stationed in the bend of the Yellow River, has been transferred eastward, reportedly to Shantung. The 110th Division is expected to move eastward from its present position in West Honan where it has been participating in the operations against the Chinese. Several enemy divisions in South China are also said to be moving, but there is no indication as to their destinations. A sharp increase in enemy strength has been reported along the coast, especially in Shantung, where the Japanese are engaged in a large-scale reorganization of their positions.
Throughout the week fighting continued on the various fronts where the Chinese claim to have been in contact with the withdrawing enemy. In Hunan, the enemy continued to retire but at a slow pace in order to assure the safe evacuation of all their troops. In Western Kwangsi, the Japanese also began to withdraw and early in the week they completely abandoned Hochih, and the Chinese now claim that their patrols have reached Ishan, half-way to Liuchow. In West Honan, however, the enemy have attempted a small-scale operation south of Loyang, but as yet have been unsuccessful. The 14th Air Force and other Allied units took the fullest advantage of the situation and continued to attack Japanese communications lines, damaging or destroying enemy rolling stock and railway installations.