#changchun

“Japs Launch Offensive,” Border Cities Star. December 1, 1932. Page 2. ---- Determined to Recapture Part of Manchuria Which Rebelled ---- Northwest Area ---- Chinese Taken by Surprise As Nipponese Take Field Again ---- By Associated Press CHANGCHUN, Manchuria, Dec. 1 - Japanese forces set out on the frozen, snow-covered plains of northwest Manchuria today in an announced effort to wipe out the Chinese rebel forces under General Su Ping-Wen, even though the lives of 150 Japanese hostages may be jeopardized.

JAP OBJECTIVE THE objective of the Japanese will be the recapture of almost one-fourth of Manchuria, lying against the Soviet border, and the annihilation of forces allied with General Su, numbering probably 30,000.

The Japanese vanguard of cavalry and infantry rode over the frozen terrain in motor trucks northward from Taitsihar, the famous outpost city that sheltered the late Chinese general, Mah Chan Shan, so long in 1931. 

The advance contingent reached Chalaneun last night. 90 miles northwest of Taitsihar. The main body of troops was some distance behind, bivouacking for the night at Chantzushan. 

SURPRISE CHINESE The first fighting occurred just before dawn yesterday near Pulaerchi, north of the Chinese Eastern Railway, when the Japanese guards surprised the Chinese force under General Chang Tien-Chu, one of General Su's lieutenants. 

The Japanese said in every brush so far they had emerged victorious, the Chinese retreating. The advance was facilitated by the frozen roads, but the sub-zero weather common to the Manchurian winter worked hardships on the troops. 

General Su last fall renounced his allegiance to the new Manchurian state of Manchukuo, and defied the Japanese army to come and get him. He entrenched himself west of the great Khingan mountains, and took over the city of Manchuli, the Chinese Eastern Railway's border city leading into Soviet Russia.