CANTON BOMBED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 194, 30 May 1938, Page 5

CANTON BOMBED

HUNDREDS KILLED OR WOUNDED FORTY JAPANESE ’PLANES. FIRES RAGE IN CROWDED AREAS GREAT MATERIAL DAMAGE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) CANTON, May 28. The city js staggering under intense Japanese bombing, begun at 11.15 a.m. to-day. By noon 100 bombs had been dropped from groups of aeroplanes flying over the city. The raiders returned at 1.15 p.m. At least 500 were killed and 900 wounded when they were trapped during the second raid. Wongsha was bombed four times. A hundred houses were destroyed. Bombs fell near the public hospital, which is far removed from the military establishments. On the contrary, the Japanese account from Tokia states: “Forty aeroplanes effectively bombed the Canton railways' and military establishments.” Across the river the scene was one of terrible confusion. Thousands of panicstricken inhabitants tried to cross to the Foreign Settlement, where guards prevented them from entering. Most of them took refuge along the waterfront, so that the carnage was less than had been feared.

Fires are raging in the denselypopulated Saikwan and Wongsha areas, both of which are pitted with immense craters. Two streets adjacent to the Wongsha station were demolished.

Rescuers are still at work removing victims from the wreckage.

CITY AGAIN ATTACKED. FURTHER DEATH-ROLL OF 250.. (Received This Day, 9.20 a.m.) CANTON, May 29. The Japanese again bombed Canton to-day, killing 250 and injuring 50. ONE THOUSAND DEAD. THREE THOUSAND INJURED.

HUNDREDS BURIED IN RUINS

(Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) CANTON, May 29

The Air raid casualties are now reported as 1000 dead and 3000 injured!, Flames devastated entire blocks and ruined sections. Hundreds were buried beneath the smouldering ruins. BRITISH BLUEJACKETS ESCAPE. LEAVE JUST BEFORE THE RAID. SUPPOSED JAPANESE KNOWLEDGE. HONG-KONG, May 29. Two hundred British naval ratings entrained at Wongsha station, Canton, to-day for Hankow. Forty minutes later 50 Japanese war ’planes bombed Canton, concentrating on the station and the Chinese batteries at Honan Island.

It is believed the Japanese must have been aware that special trains were due to take the Britishers to Hankow when they bombed Canton yesterday.

JAPANESE WRECK RAILWAY

BRITISH NAVAL PARTY STOPPED. HONG-KONG, May 28. In spite of a notification of the dispatch to-day of a special train carrying British naval ratings to relieve the crews of British gunboats on the River Yangtse, the Japanese wrecked the Kowloon-Canton railway overnight so that the train was unable to leave. OCCUPATION BY JAPANESE. CHINESE DEPRIVED OF BASE. (Received This Day, 1.10 p.m.) TOKIO, May 29. The Japanese have completed the occupation of Kweiteh, which deprives the Chinese of the base from which they have been operating m the rear of the Japanese in the Langfeng sector. JAPANESE ADMIT REVERSE. BACKS TO THE YELLOW RIVER. (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) PEIPING, May 29. The Japanese admit a reverse at Langfeng to the spearhead of their thrust to the interior of the State. They are fighting with their backs to the l ellow River.