JAPAN'S NEW ORDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 9

JAPAN'S NEW ORDER

CHUNGKING GETS IT. BOMBS AND "MACHINE GUNS. SEVERAL HUNDRED VICTIMS. (By a Special Correspondent.) HONGKONG, January 22. The number of casualties caused today when Japanese 'planes for the first time broke through Chungking's city limits is officially estimated between 300 and 400. It was described by a Chinese leader as "Chungking's first taste of the much-advertieed new order in East Asia." In sunny but nmty weather, the 'planes arrived at a great height. They could not be seen, and their presence was only known by the deep drone of their engines. While the air was quivering with the vibration of their motors there came the now familiar swish of falling boml», the thunder of explosions and the rat-tat of machine-guns as Chinese pursuit went into action. The progress of the battle could bej followed by the whine of their engines! as the Chinese 'planes dived on the bombers. Shortly afterwards, a white trail of smoke showed that a 'plane had been shot to destruction and then all was silent. Several bombs struck the poorest quarter of the capital, near the East Gate, one demolishing a packed teahouse and burying in the ruins, all those who were in it at the time. Many bodies are still entombed.

A number of bombs had been dropped in the residential district outside the city, the most notable damage being the partial destruction of the Hsun Teh girls' school. The pupils were absent for the day on holiday. Classrooms were destroyed," but the dormitories were not damaged. For some time after the raid groups of frightened girls stood about gazing at their wrecked schoolrooms in which smashed desks and other furniture lay in confusion. Many left the city after [the raid carrying their belongings on

their backs, or in rickshas. Japanese sources claimed later that six out of ten of the Chinese 'planes which rose to give combat to the raiders were shot down, but they admitted their own 'planes were damaged in the wings. The Chinese claimed to have shot down one 'plane, but the machine has not been found.

All main roads leading out of Chungking were crowded after the "all clear" signal had been given. In order to prevent unnecessary loss of life and panics, the authorities have frequently warned the refugees to leave the city precincts and to seek shelter in the country.

Since the opening of hostilities the population of Chungking has doubled from 300,000 to 600,000 as a result of immigration from the war areas.