740.0011 P.W./6–945: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 9—9:15 a.m.]
957. Following is summary of M[ilitary] A[ttaché]’s report for week ending June 9:
During the week the Japanese continued their withdrawal from South China; they have now abandoned most of their positions south of Liuchow. Chinese intelligence reports that the Japanese are planning to withdraw from Liuchow which has been set on fire. Enemy troops in large number were reported moving northward along the Kwangsi–Hunan border apparently for East and North China. The [Page 121] 3d and 13th, and possibly other Divisions as well, are participating in this movement. Headquarters of the Twentieth Army, formerly at Hengyang, and of the Eleventh Army, formerly at Liuchow, were also said to be leaving, indicating the considerable extent of Japanese withdrawal. In the Canton area, no changes were reported, but further north the enemy was reported to be improving the Canton–Hankow Railway. They would seem to substantiate rumors that the Japanese will attempt to retain this communication line. The Honan front remained quiet and there were no new developments in North China.
Reports of Kuomintang–Communist friction have subsided. It is generally believed that unrest has existed in certain areas but that there have been no major engagements.
The Hunan campaign having ended, operations of the 14th Air Force decreased in number although not in range. Principal targets were lines of communication and rolling stock and locomotives were attacked with excellent results.