SINO-JAPANESE WAR

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 12419, 5 August 1938, Page 3

SINO-JAPANESE WAR

AIR BATTLE

TWELVE JAPANESE MACHINES SHOT DOWN

ATTACK OX HANKOW

London, Aug. 3

The Chinese claim that 11 Japanese fighters and one bomber were shot down in an air battle south of Wuchang. Six Chinese ’planes failed to return to the base, two making forced landings. It is stated that only 23 Japanese ’planes cut of 70 eluded the defenders and bombed the city.

The Hankow aerodrome, railway and warehouses were attacked by IS bombers and 10 fighters as part of the Japanese offensive along the Yangtse, by which it is hoped to capture Hankow as soon as possible in view of the Russian crisis, and ■force the Chinese to the upper reaches of the Yangtse. Elaborate precautions have been taken in the International Settlement at Shanghai in readiness for the anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities on August 13. The Shanghai Volunteer Corps has been notified of mobilisation and United States marines have closed the bridges from the sector outside. The Japanese have declared rigid martial law in the districts surrounding Shanghai and are searching Chinese entering and leaving the foreign areas. The Japanese refused to allow British, American and other foreigners who are taking refuge on board warships, to resume possession of their properties. At Kiukiang, vessels are unable to move owing to the Chinese mines and booms.