BOMBING PLANES OVER SHANGHAI

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1937, Page 5

BOMBING PLANES OVER SHANGHAI

FURIOUS CANNONADE ALONG WATERFRONT

British Warships Removing Thousands

Monday’s Operations WARSHIPS’ BOMBARDMEMI TO COVER JAPANESE LANDING. SHANGHAI, August 16 The Japs’ early morning o.rensive lasted an hour. Jap warships concentrated their tire on an area of the Sbanghai-Woosung railway, obwously to cover the landing of rem’orcem.nts from two transpo ts. viceAdmiral Hasegawa warned all noncombatants to evacuate the neighbourhood of the Chinese military and civil aerodromes. When Chinese planes bombed it, several fires were started in the Japanese area, whereafter Japanese planes ascended to re-bom’h the Chinese positions west of the city. French batteries opened fire on Chinese planes flying over the Concession this morning. LONDON, August 16. Japanese gunboats this afternoon heavily shelled and bombed Potung, a Chinese town on the other side of the Whangpoo River, opposite the International Settlement, causing explosions which rocked Shanghai, Chinese guns replying. The Japanese destroyer, Hasu shelled and set on fire a four-storey brick building in the Chinese Bund, allegedly harbouring a nest of machine guns and snipers. Ambulances sped to the blazing building. It is feared the death-roll will be heavy, as the district is densely populated. When night fell star shells lit up the battlegrounds on all sectors. Artillery and machine-gun fire was incessant, the Japanese resisting a desperate attempt by the Chinese to capture the Japanese headquarters. A tremendous explosion, the cause of which is not known, shook the Bund area like an earthquake. The warships are still pounding at Pootung. SHANGHAI, August 16.

Firing ceased at Shanghai before midnight, activities being transferred to Cape Yangtse Kiang, south of the mouth of the Whangpoo, where it enters Yangtse Kiang. Here, the Japanese are supporting the earlier landing at Liuho to threaten the Chinese lines north of Shanghai. They launched a bombardment in order to protect the landing of further reinforcements in flatbottomed boats, with the object of advancing against the Chinese concentrations on the south bank of the Whangpoo opposite Shanghai.

The idumo moved downstream apparently to reinforce the bombardment. Six inch shells from the cruisers fell devastatingly among the Chinese troops, who are armed only with trench mortars, machine guns and rifles. Japanese officers hope that this attack in the Yangtse KiangWhangpoo delta will precede the early control of the Shanghai area. At Shanghai, petro., ice and other necessaries are not available. The stores, most of which are open, are not granting credit. The banks are not open to-day. Another division of Japanese regulars is expected to arrive at Shanghai to-day.

Chinese Reports JAPANESE ABANDON. POSITIONS. AIR ATTACKS REPULSED. SHANGHAI, August 16. The Chinese officially claim that the Japanese have abandoned their headquarters near Hongkew Park, also the cotton mills serving at a base in the north-eastern quarter of Shanghai. Severe fighting continued at Shanghai througout the night, with the Japanese warships shelling Chapei, and the Chinese making determined attacks in the Yangtsepoo district where additional Japanese reinforcements sought to effect a landing. Japanese attacks on Nankow during the last three days, so far have proved abortive. Official reports placed the Chinese casualties at 500 and the Japanese casualties at almost double. NANKING, August 16. Chinese fighting planes repulsed five Japanese aerial raids, only two Japanese getting through, bombing the city and effecting slight damage. Chiang Kai Shek declares that eight Japanese planes were brought down, and one Chinese was damaged. The Chinese people’s gift of 100 planes to Chiang Kai Shek, on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday, last November, played a prominent part in the defence. WELLINGTON, August 17. The Chinese Consul received a telegram from Nanking stating: Twenty heavy Japanese bombers from. Formosa attempted a second raid on Hangchow this morning, four of which i were shot down. The aerial battle ’s still progressing. Eleven two-motored Japanese bombers participated in the first raid yesterday, three being shot down in the vicinity of Hangchow and five badly ' damaged and forced to land in various | places in Chekiang, only three returning. Extreme tension prevails at Esingtao as the result of an incident yesterday, in which one Japanese was injured. According to Chinese eye wintesses the fracas was between two Japanese seamen and one Japanese civilian in European clothes, but the Japanese Consul insisted the victim was shot by Chinese. It is feared that the Chinese are going to use the incident as a. pretext to start hostilities at Shantung. JAPANESE NAVAL CLUB. CAPTURE BY CHINESE REPORTED. WELLINGTON, August 17. The Chinese Consul has received the following cable from Nanking: “Chinese troops, at Shanghai, made a determined attack on Japanese strongholds in the North Szechuen Road, and they captured the Japanese | Naval Club, near their naval headquarters.”

TERRIFYING TIME FOR EUROPEAN REFUGEES

Japanese Air Attack FOILED AT SHANGHAI. , LOSS OF FIVE PLANES REPORTED. ’ WELLINGTON, August 17. The Chinese Consul has received the following cablegram from Nanking. Thrilling air battles occurred around Nanking this (Tuesday) morning, when Japanese aeroplanes twice attempted to raid the city. Both of the attempts proved abortive, due to the Chinese Air Forces making a stern resistance.

Three Japanese planes were shot down at Chuyung, approximately 80 kilometres south-east of Nanking. Two Japanese planes were brought down at Yangchow.

CHINESE ATTEMPTS. TO BLOW UP JAP FLAGSHIP. BOMBS TAKE EFFECT. SHANGHAI, August 16. A crowd queued at the Shanghai Club, had another terrorising experience at 11.30 a.m. when seven Chinese bombers flew over the Idumo and dropped five huge bombs close to the cruiser, another a hundred yards to"wards the shore, and a third in the water. The British United Press Shanghai correspondent reports that one warrant officer and four bluejackets were killed on the Idumo during the morning’s attack. Andrew Brennan, the South African Trade Commissioner, witnessed a daring attempt to blow’ up the Idumo which has hitherto borne a charmed life. A fully lighted High-powered speedboat flashed down the Whangpoo hooted when abreast of tne lumo, and sped off down tne river. Two hundred yards behind her, a speedy' torpedo motor boat came surging witn a crew of six and equipped with two torpedoes. It turned round when two hundred yards from the Idumo, and launched a torpedo which tore through the water and hit something with a terrific thud, but apparently failed to explode. Subsequently, two Chinese naval students, members of the motor boat’s crew, were picked up injured on the Bund. They declared the torpedo struck the Idumo. AERIAL LOSSES. JAPANESE CLAIMS. TOKIO, August 16. The Admiralty announced that the Japs had destroyed 72 Chinese planes and 17 hangars at the rear of Shanghai. Her own losses were eight machines.

Bad Outlook FOR “INTERNATIONAL” AREA. (Received August 10.10 p.m.) August 17. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” states: — “England, France and America have made renewed representations to the Governments both at Nanking and at Tokio against the risks of air action near the International Settlement in Shanghai. China has replied that, if Japan intends to make the International Settlement the base of operations against her, she cannot undertake to respect its integrity. Japan contends that to refrain from military operations there, would le tantamount to abandoning her nationals. Japan Prepares FOR “BIG EFFORT” STATE CONTROL OF TRADE. LONDON, August 17. . Thl* correspondent of “The Times” at Tokio reports that except those left in the cities of Amoy, Foochow, Tsingtao and Shanghai, all of the Japanese in China have been withdrawn. Such extensive precautions had not, previously, been deemed necessary. Thus they are taken as indicating that Japan’s military effort will be on a large scale. The Japanese Government is also preparing to establisn Ministerial control of Japan’s imports, capital investments and consumption of raw materials. Japan’s exchange will be maintained at its present level, and interest rates will be kept low. Similar measures "are also being applied in Manchukuo. China’s Munitions SUPPLY FROM SKODA WORKS. VIENNA, August 17. It is reported that the Chinese Finance Minister, Doctor Kung, recently visited Prague, an concluded there a ten million sterling credit with the Skoda Steelworks (the big Czechoslovakian armament concern). It is stated that the contracts let include ones for weapons and gasmasks. GENERAL MOBILISATION. REPORTED IN JAPAN. LONDON, August 16. The British United Press’s Tientsin correspondent quotes private advice that a general mobilisation is in progress in Japan. Japanese Embassy officials and staffs have applied for facilities to leave Nanking, where the Admiralty claims to have shot down ten Chinese planes this morning and destroyed hangars. The Chinese Foreign Office learning that the Japanese Embassy staff desire to go home, is providing them with a safe conduct to Japan via Tsingtao. TOKIO, August 16. The Government has replied to the

Powers that Japan is unable to relinquish defensive operations. It is confirmed that Embassy officials are leaving Nanking, but this does not imply the breaking off of diplomatic relations. Ambassador Kawagoe remains on duty. The Foreign Office spokesmen emphasised that Japan adheres to a policy of non-aggravation in China, if China completely and definitely stops hostile actions. BRITISH NATIONALS. PROTECTIVE MEASURES. RUGBY, August 16. The grave situation in China is under constant and anxious review in London. As the result of a conference held at the Foreign Office it was decided that a very large number of British nationals, who, with 2500 British Indians number 9000, should be evacuated as soon as possible from Shanghai. To-day’s news from Shanghai, which includes the arrival there of the second battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers from Hong Kong, shows no dimunition of the tension. The British Government has throughout been in close touch with other interested Governments. It is not expected that warships will be used for evacuation of British subjects from Shanghai. The arrangements are being made by the British naval and military authorities on the spot. SHANGHAI, August 16. His Majesty’s ship Duncan, anchored off the Shanghai Club. Four thousand British women and children are expected to be evacuated. The first batch of seven hundred is aboard the Rajputana. LATER. Arrangements have been completed for shipment in the itajputana and Empress of Asia to Hong Kong o£ 200 women & 60 children. It was stated that no more ships are available at present. Cargo boats may be used later. The Shanghai Club has been besieged throughout the day by those registered for evacuation, men, women and children queuing up ten deep, with gunfire echoing in their ears. . . , The evacuation of British women and children has been halted, the Mayor of Shanghai, Yui, having emphasised that the danger of Chinese air bombing in a direction not controlled by the Commander in Shanghai has passed. Meanwhile, launches and ships m Whangpoo will be protectively draped with national colours and fly white flags. BRITISHERS EVACUATED. BY DESTROYERS. (Received August 17, 9.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, August 17,

At 9.20 a.m. to-day, two Japanese aeroplanes circled overhead as British women and children started boarding the British destroyers, “Falmouth” and “Duncan,” which were taking them down the river to join the Rajputana, off Woosung. The Duncan left at 10.55 a.m., the refugees being ordered below, as firing was proceeding all along the waterfront. Refugees Terrified REMOVAL FROM SHANGHAI. AMID ARTILLERY DUEL. SHANGHAI, August 17. With bombs falling on noth sides of Whangpoo River, and with shells screaming overhead, British blueNanking on Saturday morning, to express on behalf of Chiang Kai Shek deep regret from the dropping of bombs on the International Settlement which it was explained, was unintentional. Meanwmle, there is relaxation of efforts on the part ot me untisn <jovernment to remove the present threat I to the safety of Shanghai. The developments of Saturday and yesterday are deeply regretted by the British Government. On Friday instructions were sent to Sir H. Knatchbull Hugessen, British Ambassador to China, and Mr Dodds, British Charge d’Affaires at Tokio, to express in the strongest terms to the two Governments, the folly of allowing a situation to arise from which their own interests in the great commercial centre of Shanghai, no less than the interests of other Governments, might suffer serious damage and the necessity for precautions against action by their armed forces which might imperil the safety of the International Settlement. AMERICAN POLICY. IMPORTANT STATEMENT EXPECTED. (Received August 17, 7.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 16. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times” says: President Roosevelt spent the whole of this afternoon conferring with tne Secretary of State, Senator Hull, and also with Military and Naval Chiefs, on the subject of China and Japan. It is believed that an important statement of United States policy is imminent. i It is understood tTTat a complete American evacuation of the battle zone is considered to be impracticable. Mr. Hull, after the consultations, refused to disclose whether the invocation of the United States Neutrality Act was suggested. BRITISH PROTESTS. AGAINST CHINESE BOMBERS RUGBY, August 16. Strong representations have been made to the Chinese Government regarding Chinese bombing from the air of the International Settlement, and urgently requesting the cessation of such action. In presenting protests on behalf of his Government, regarding the bombing of the flagship Cumberland, the British Ambassador stated that though it was doubtless inadvertent, it afforded an added illustration of the terrible danger of this air activity. The Chinese Foreign Minister called on the British Ambassador at jackets calmly carried out the evacuation of two thousand women and sixty children, who assembled at three heavily-barricaded points near the Shanghai Club. Heavy rain intensified the hardships of the embarkation. Three Chinese planes, flying in formation, suddenly emerged from the clouds almost directly over a launch full of American refugees. A burst of anti-aircraft fire greeted them, but the launch was not hit. Another Chinese air squadron corn-

menced firing on the destroyer “Falmouth,” as she was preparing to leave. Japanese warships were also firing furiously. It was a terrifying moment for the refugees aboard the Falmouth. The women and chilaren crouched down on the deck. Some were petrified with fear. Men who had been farewelling their womenfolk from a pontoon ran hastily for shelter, and when the destroyers left, a terrific artillery duel was proceeding. STOCK EXCHANGE AFFECTED. LONDON, August 16. The Stock Exchange was irregular owing to Far East developments. British funds and foreign bonds were lower. Chinese and Japanese were dull.