POINTS OF ATTACK.

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

POINTS OF ATTACK.

UNIVERSITY TAKEN. JAPANESE SPARE BUILDING. AIRMEN DIRECT ARTILLERY. BOMBARDMENT OF WOOSUNG. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 21, 5.5 p.ru.) SHANGHAI. Feb. 20. Japanese reports estimate that 3000 Chinese troops occupied the Kiangwan sector, but they offered little resistance, with the exception of a strong party inside the Fuhtan University. Eventually this was taken by the Japanese at considerable sacrifice, owing to their unwillingness to bombard a cultural institution. The Ciiinese were retreating when airmen bombed the vicinity. During the Japanese advance their aeroplanes circled over the objective territory directing the operations of the artillery. Japanese destroyers opened fire on Woosung village. The Chinese replied with heavy gunfire, but with no serious result. Destructive Naval Broadsides. The Japanese bombardment reduced a wide area to ruins, extending from the mouth of the Whangpoo River to the Woosung Creek, where the Chinese are strongly entrenched in an amazing system of dugouts and a network of tunnels. Chinese shells found marks in the Chang-Wah-Pang railway yards, where the Japanese have established a base, but the cruiser Yubari and destroyers poured broadsides into the village, doing tremendous damage and starting numerous fires. - Chinese troops entrenched along the river bank poured continuous machine-gun fire into the destroyers, but the artillery in the village failed to score direct on the Japanese vessels. From the Chapei front Japanese artillery pumped shells into the Chinese lines behind the demolished north station, while aeroplanes circled overhead, the pilots dropping bombs. Chinese field guns replied heavily toward noon, while antiaircraft guns maintained a regular fire. Shell Damage in Settlement. Numerous shells fell in the International Settlement, damaging property in the Markham Road area and killing five Chinese and injuring many others. Four Japanese batteries, located just outside the settlement limits in the northern district, kept a concentrated fire on the Chinese positions, but the regular response indicated that the Chinese batteries were not severely damaged. The fighting in this area was confined to heavy gunning. The opposing infantry awaited the general offensive and the Chinese are holding their machine-gun fire until to-night, in order to avoid disclosing their positions, which are hidden in numerous ruined buildings. Arrival oI More Japanese Troops. Judging by the activity of Bed Cross units on all the fronts, the casualties have been heavy. Incoming vessels report that a fleet of Japanese transports is standing by at the entrance to the Yangtse River, convoyed by three cruisers and a destroyer flotilla.. These are believed to be carrying additional Japanese divisions which were asked for by General Uyeda.