AN AIR BATTLE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 45, 3 December 1940, Page 5

AN AIR BATTLE.

CONFLICT OVER INDO-CHINA.

RETALIATION BY FRENCH

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

HANOI, December 2

An air battle lasting 20 minutes occurred above the village of Thakhek, on the Mekong River, while the French retaliated against Thailand following the bombings on November 28 and 30. The principal southern Indo-Cliina cities are blacked out and authorities in Hanoi give the impression that the situation is grave. An earlier message from Bangkok reported that the Thai High Command has issued a communique stating that Thai forces on Sunday repulsed the French invasion of southern Thailand. The communique said that French aeroplanes'continued to violate Thailand all day on Sundav.

MILITARY OBJECTIVES BOMBED.

TEN DIRECT HITS SCORED

(Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) BANGKOK, December 2. A communique states that planes

bombed military objectives at Trakhek on Saturday. Ten bombs directly hit anti-aircraft batteries within the demilitarised zone, also a French troop concentration.

FRENCH BOAT BOMBED.

ONE ATTACKER RELIEVED HIT.

(Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.)

HANOI, December 13,

It is officially stated that several Thai planes dropped nine bombs, butfailed to hit the 500-ton French armed river boat Beryle, near Kone Island, in the Gulf of Siam. Afterwards two planes renewed the attack, whereupon the Beryle returned the fire and is believed to have damaged one plane, which escaped. Thai troops occupied Bnndong, au unprotected island in the Afoking River.