JAPANESE DRIVE AT SHANGHAI

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22194, 10 September 1937, Page 13

JAPANESE DRIVE AT SHANGHAI

TANKS USED FOR FIRST TIME DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN NORTH CHINA (Received September 10. 1 a.m.) SHANGHAI. Sootember 9. Two hours’ fishlin" at dusk ea-t nf Yanglse-poo, endjng in the renulso of the Chinese, and their renulse at Loticn were the only incidents during the night. The contestants appear to be holdjng their main original positions. The Japanese, have intensified their air operations from an aerodrome established near the university. They are paying special attention to the civic centre and the arsenal at Kaingwan. Japanese aeroplanes killed 300 and wounded 400 Chinese refugees on a train which was entering Sunkiang. The Japanese, with the aid of heavier tanks, claim that they have advanced along a continuous line from Yangtse-poo and Chapei to Liuho and are threatening the encirclement of the Chinese. Japan has rejected the Powers proposal to withdraw her warships from the International Settlement zone. General Chuteh’s Red Army, which was under Marshal Chiang Kai-shek’s ban, has now pledged its loyalty to him, and has thrown itself against the Japanese flank at kow.

Japan has not yet cleared the northern fronts at Nankow and Chahar. She finds her difficulties greatly increased because of General Chuteh’s compliance with Nanking’s orders. The Japanese admit heavy casualties, precluding an effective advance southwards from Machang. The Japanese in the advance in the Yangtse-poo sector used tanks for the first time, and destroyed five Chinese steel and concrete pillboxes, which were buttressing the infantry lines. The Japanese are consolidating their positions before resuming the offensive. Sharp fighting continues at Machang, 35 miles from Peiping.