OPERATIONS ALONG EXTENSIVE FRONT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 9

OPERATIONS ALONG EXTENSIVE FRONT.

HEAVY CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. HOSTILITIES NEAR INTERNATIONAL AREA. The Japanese forces at Shanghai opened a strong offensive ajgainst the Chinese on Saturday. They moved to the attack early in the forenoon and when the time limit of their ultimatum expired in the evening began large-scale attacks on three fronts. The casualties are believed to be heavy. The order to advance against the Chinese was issued at 7 p.m. and an hour and a-half later the Chinese had been driven from the Kiangwan racecourse and were retreating. The Japanese are reported to be well equipped, whereas the Chinese are handicapped by the lack of material. Nevertheless they are offering stout resistance and have strongly entrenched positions upon which to fall back. Airmen directed the Japanese artillery as they advanced. The attackers met with - strong resistance at the Fuhtan University. This they eventually took at considerable sacrifice, having refrained from destroying the building because of its cultural character. A severe bombardment at AVoosung by Japanese warships reduced a large area to ruins. The hostilities are in progress to the north of the International Settlement from Woosung at the eastern end to beyond Jessfield at the western end. About mid-way, at Chapei, aerial bombing by the Japanese has been replied to by Chinese field and antiaircraft guns'. Numerous shells have fallen in the settlement, just outside of which four Japanese batteries are located. The Japanese attack was renewed at dawn yesterday and General Uyeda, the commanding officer, has cabled to Tokio asking for another army division.