NANTAO BECOMES SHAMBLES IN KITTLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 7

NANTAO BECOMES SHAMBLES IN KITTLE.

HEAVY CASUALTIES.

" Suicide Snipers " Delay I Japanese Drive. FOREIGN APPREHENSIONS. United I'ress Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) SHANGHAI, November 11. Apart from a few "suicide snipers" who are valiantly making a last stand, the Chinese completed evacuation of Nantao when the beleaguered 'forces entered the French Concession after being bombed and shelled all day. The Japanese are virtual masters of Nantao. the last Chinese foothold in Shanghai. From the Settlement roofs awed spectators watched bricks and timbers flying skywards as 'planes dived almost vertically and loosed loads of bombs rocking the whole city. The Chinese stubbornly kept 011 replying with a.hail of machine-gun lire.'

One bomb landed on the French Bund, killing six Annamite guards and wounding two French soldiers patrolling the creek. Less than three-quarters of a mile from the shambles of Xantao fresh wreaths lie at the base of the war memorial 011 the Bund, a column of stone surmounted by the Angel of Peace standing out starkly against the clouds of smoke, testifying to the ghastliness of nearby destruction. At nightfall, blazing junks from the river boom and other fire's on land lit up Xantao and Pootung where Japanese flags are everywhere flying. "Suicide Snipers" Take Heavy Toll. "Suicide snipers" took heavy toll of the attackers, but did not prevent the rout of others, who, as they broke and ran, were chased by Japanese tanks almost to the barbed wire, which the French strung across the bridges leading to the Concession. French troops, guard nig the border, ducked for cover as tanks fired on the fugitives, but at the first lull troops and police dashed out to drag Chinese under the wire to safety Chinese warriors in plain clothes fought off the advancing Japanese, who paid heavily for their gains at every street corner. The snipers, after the I stillest resistance, fled for the nearest houses on the approach of tanks, whereupon the Japanese set lire to buildings to permit the advance to continue. Foreign observers believe the main Chinese force is falling back to make ! its next stand in the region of Soochow Lake, but it is possible the Japanese, having cleared the Chinese in the immediate vicinity of Shanghai, may not pursue them further. Foreign circles express apprehension at the ruthless mopping up by Japanese] accompanied by threats of action against anybody who dares to interfere.

AID FROM LONDON.

MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR CHINA.

British Official Wirel««B. (Received 2 p.m.) RUGBY, November 11. The first consignment of medical supplies dispatched to China by the Lord Mayor's fund weighed over 21 tons. It consisted of drugs, medicines and anaesthetics, and was collected in record time. A special dispensing container for anaesthetics was designed and manufactured in four days. The Lord Mayor's fund for relief of distress in China has now reached I £70,000.