JAPANESE CHECKED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1938, Page 9

JAPANESE CHECKED

CHINESE RETREAT FROM .WUHU

USE OF MUSTARD GAS

CHARGE AGAINST THE INVADERS'

(Received February 12, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. A message from Shanghai states that though admitting that they have been forced to retreat from Wuhu, the Chinese assert that they checked, at Senlipoo, a Japanese attempt to turn their flank in North Anhwei in the hope of expediting the advance to Lunghai. There was severe fighting, and heavy casualties on both sides are reported. The Chinese report that they annihilated 300 Japanese trying to obtain a foothold on the north bank of the Hwai River, but the Japanese are in full occupation of Hwaiyuan, from where they are advancing north-west. The Central Chinese news agency alleges that the Japanese are using mustard gas in the Linhwaikwan sector. The Hong Kong correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that 10,000 Japanese troops were rushed to Nanking to reinforce the garrison after a surprise nocturnal attack by the Chinese, who crossed the Yangtzekiang five miles south of Wuhu and launched a determined attack on Japanese positions round Changhiayuayuan. The Chinese . despite withering machine-gun fire, gained their objectives and drove the Japanese from the village.