JAPANESE AIR RAIDS

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1937, Page 5

JAPANESE AIR RAIDS

On Chinese Hangars DESTRUCTION OF 70 ’PLANES CLAIMED. SHANGHAI, August 15. In reprisal for the attacks on the Idumo, bombers from the ajrcrafcarrier off Woosung attacked the Chinese air bases at Kiangsi and Chekiang provinces, and c aim to have destroyed over forty planesc LA 1 Lav. The Japanese claim a complete aerial mastery of Shanghai as the resuk of lightning raids on the Chinese aerodromes at Chienchiao, destroying a hangar and 22 planes, the Hangchow hangar and 12 planes, the Kwangteh hangar and ten P lancs > and at Nansiang 20 planes. Ihe total planes pul out of action was 70, including four in an aerial combat. An anti-aircraft gun mounted on top of the Japanese headquarters brought down a Chinese warplane m flames on a Chinese house at Chapei. Japanese planes silenced a Chinese artillery concentration on Hongkew before material damage was done to the Japanese settlement. _ Chinese Claims MAIN JAP. ’PLANES DESTROYED. LOSSES OF CHINESE EXAGGERATED. SHANGHAI, August 16. The Chinese dispute the Japanese claims as to destruction of planes, S assert that they shot down tour raiders at Hangchow. When Jap anese 'planes attacked Nanking ten Chinese planes took off, and they claim they brought down three maCh Tlie city rocked with the impact of. bombs and anti-aircraft fire. lhe damage and loss of life cannot at present be ascertained. + i c 1 LONDON, August 15. The “Telegraph’s” Nanking correspondent says: The Chinese claim that twelve Japanese air bombers were shot down in the air battles over Nanking to-day and Hangchow yesterday. The excited populace of Nanking witnessed to-day’s “Conn - er when twelve Japanese three en gined Heinkel bombers, from the aerodrome at Formosa, came sight, and ten Chinese fighters soared to attack. The Japanese, after dropping bombs near the aerodrome and Ming Palace, turned back. The fighters pursued them for ninety minutes bringing down six machines, two m flames, one killing two _ Chinese women when it fell. The Chinese declare that they did not lose a single man or machine. Chiang Kai-Shek reports that Chinese machines brought down six Japanese 'planes of those raiding Hangchow aerodrome, and drove oft tne remainder. Bursts of anti-aircraft fire from Japanese warships were seen when Chinese planes circled over the harbour at a great height. Rain is still ’ falling in torrents and visibility is ■ bad.

CHINESE OFFICIAL REPORT. WELLINGTON, August 16. The Chinese Consul received another cablegram from Nanking, relating to the lighting, stating: The Chinese forces made advances both in Chapei and Yangtsepoo sectors, and practically encircled the Japanese naval headquarters at the end of the North Szechueit Road. At Yangtsepoo, where the Japanese landing ground is situated, the Chinese closed in on the Japanese line. The KungIla cotton mill, which served as headquarters for Japanese officers, was occupied by Chinese at 10.30 a.m. Fight-,

[ing is expected to develop with rurther intensity this evening. The Settlement authorities advised foreigners to move out from areas northward of Soochow Creek. The cablegram states that reports agree the Japanese will make extensive use of their aircraft, and are expected to bombard Chinese cities along the Nanking-Shanghai and Shanghai-Hangchow railways. Japanese planes bombed Weiting railway station between Soochow and Quin’an, this morning, but the damage is believed to be immaterial.