740.0011 P.W./6–3045: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Hurley) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 30—12:20 p.m.]
1080. M[ilitary] A[ttaché’s] summary for week ending June 30 follows:
Enemy operations during week were concentrated in East and South China. Military activity in Kwangtung spread northward into Kiangsi. Withdrawal of troops from Kwangsi–Hunan area into East and North China continued. There was further readjustment of enemy positions along the coast.
Relatively little change was reported in North China. Some localized enemy troop movements occurred in Shansi, notably near Fenyang. The West Honan front was quiet. Japs were reported to be strengthening communication lines in North Kiangsu and Shantung, chiefly near important communications center of Hsuchow. Several thousand enemy troops evacuating Wenchow area were moving across North Chekiang toward Ningpo. Reported Jap destruction of Quemoy Island airfield may indicate beginning of withdrawal from Amoy area. Jap withdrawal from Kwangsi-Hunan corridor continued, river boats were being concentrated at key points and some 20–30,000 troops were being moved from Kwangtung northward through Lungnan into forward areas in Kiangsi. There was a marked decrease in telegraphic communication between Jap headquarters at Hankow, Hengyang and Canton. These activities seemed to indicate possible withdrawal or move into Poyang Lake-Nanchang area via Kan River Valley. This would be a shorter route between Canton and lower Yangtze than that via Hengyang and Hankow.
Allied air operations were more active than during the 3 previous weeks, but still had not reached a high level. Troop concentrations, supply installations and river traffic in South and Central China were attacked; north of the Yellow River principal targets were railway lines. Two ineffectual attempts to intercept B–24’s of the Far Eastern Air Force at Canton comprised the only Jap air activity.