HEAVY CASUALTIES

Evening Star, Issue 22774, 8 October 1937, Page 9

HEAVY CASUALTIES

SINO-JAPJWESE WAR DEFENDERS STILL HOLDING OUT RAW AND WATERLOGGED TRENCHES Tree* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI, October 7. (Received October 8, ait 8 a.m.) Fighting waist-high in. waterlogged trenches and tropical rain, the Chinese are still holding the Japanese, who are attempting to force a wedge into the eight-mile sector between Kaingwan and Liuhang. The casualties on both sides are heavy. ATTACK FROM AIR IKFHEES ON TRAIN SUFFER LONDON, October 7. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Shanghai Correspondent says: “ Tvo hundred refugees, mostly women and children, were hilled in a Japanese air raid on a train at Shaken, on the TientsiniPnkow railway.” FOREIGN AFFAIRS DERATE FIXED FOR OCTOBER 21 LONDON, October 7. The * Daily Herald ’ says that Cabinet has decided to refuse the. Labour demand for the immediate recall of Parliament, but is arranging a debate on foreign affairs on October 21. GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION DISASTER IN TMIO TOKIO, October 7. • (Received October 8, at 11 a.m.) - A big explosion, followed by a fire, occurred in a Tokio gunpowder factory. The casualties are being kept secret. FAKE PLANES BOMBED CHINESE TRICK JAPANESE AIRMEN SHANGHAI, October 7. (Received October 8, at 11 a.m.) The Chinese are tricking Japanese airmen by building papier mache bombera . and leaving them in fields and aerodromes, diverting Japanese bombs from civilians and troops. The bombs drop harmlessly on the fake' planes. This explains the recent Japanese claims in regard to the destruction of Chinese aeroplanes on the ground. AERIAL ATTACKS ON CANTON HONGKONG, October 7. (Received October 8, ait 1.10 p.m.) Japanese attempts from the air to destroy Canton’s communications and military establishments continue with some success, damaging wharves, naval headquarters, and an aerodrome, and cutting the railway near Pakong. The Chinese claim to have brought down eight Japanese bombers, losing two themselves. RAM HAMPERS JAPANESE SHANGHAI, October 7. (Received October 8, at 1 p.m.) The country is a quagmire owing to rain. This is rendering the Chinese defences semi-impregnable. The general position has not changed. JAPANESE ADMIRAL'S SACRIFICE TOKIO, December 7. (Received October 8, at noon.) Donations to tithe navy fund include the gold crowns from Admiral Mitsvrmara Yonai’s teeth. They were specially removed by a dentist, JAPANESE USE GAS NANKING, October 7. (Received October 8, at 1 p.m.) The Foreign Office states it definitely ascertained that the Japanese used gases causing discomfort to the eyes, nausea, and coma, in the Lotien-Liu-hang sector on the night of October PRESSING SOUTHWARD PEKING, October 7. (Received October 8, at 1.5 p.m.) Following their recent advances in North China, the Japanese will shortly be threatening ' Thinanfu and Taiyusnfu. The Japanese occupied Sintang, and are pressing southwards. THE SHANGHAI FJWHT DESPERATE BATTLE AT WOOSUNG CREEK LONDON, October 7. (Received October 8, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Tasheng correspondent Says that a private of the Chintung Nien 52nd Company, 62nd Chinese Infantry Division, Shantung, a soldier with five years’ service who fought the Japanese in 1932, was halted while trudging towards the base with a wound. Ho explained how the Japanese crossed Woosung Creek after futile and desperate efforts against machine guns. “We slept,”

ho said, “ posting a sentry on the opposite side of the creek, over which was a bridge ready to be mined and over which we customarily crossed to attack the enemy. The sentry was worn out and slept at his post. The first thing wo knew the Japanese were on us, having crossed with tanks at midnight. Wo fought until only 10, who were wounded, remained out of 150.” Chinese reinforcements are counterattacking in torrents of rain in the hope of driving back the Japanese. The scene behind the lines resembles a painting on a Chinese vase. Troops wear mackintoshes and huge bamboo hats, with Lewis guns and machine guns covered with straw to protect them from the rain. REPORT FROM CHINESE SOURCES [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 8. The following Nanking cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul:— There was the fiercest fighting on the whole of the Shanghai front. The Japanese attempted to _ advance under cover of a heavy artillery fire, bombing by aeroplanes, and mechanised units, but they were repulsed. In the Liuhang-Lotion area the Chinese successfully counter-attacked. The Chinese - tactics at Chapei resulted in the trapping of 300 Japanese sailors. Tanks and 15 Japanese planes bombed Nanking, and another squadron bombed Wuhu. A further attempt to bomb Nanking was frustrated.