CHINESE RESISTANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 9

CHINESE RESISTANCE.

STRONG COUNTER-ATTACK

JAPANESE PUSH CHECKED.

HEAVY CASUALTY LISTS

FIERCE STRUGGLE IN DARK. By Telegraph—Pro;y Association—Copyright. SHANGHAI, Feb. 22. Fighting continues on three fronts, bursts of machine-gun fire are coming from the still smoking ruins of Woosung village, but there is a marked absence of artillery fire, The withdrawal of the Japanese ciuiser \ übari and seven destroyers from Woosung is largely responsible for the lull in the heavy shelling. It is reported that these vessels left for Saddle Island, at the mouth of the Yangtse River, for the purpose of convoying transports which are bringing two additional army divisions from Japan. These have been anchored in the lee of the islands for some days. Several aeroplanes flew over the Chinese lines to-day and a few bombs were dropped on a stream of Japanese waggons carrying ammunition and infantry moving north to strengthen the lines beyond Kiangwan. These additional troops were needed owing to a desperate counter-attack made in the early morning by the Cantonese troops. The Japanese barely held their lines. Chinese Open Heavy Bombardment. Subsequently Japanese Howitzer batteries were brought into action and opened a heavy bombardment on the Chinese linos. This continued for upwards of an hour, when it was reported that the Chinese were retreating, but the Japanese did not follow. Everywhere the smoking ruins of Chinese hamlets and small villages indicate the progress of the Japanese advance. Chinese dead are scattered over the racecourse in the neighbourhood. The majority were killed when the Japanese captured that important spot on Saturday.

The Chinese forces stationed on the Chapei front opened an intensive bombardment on Hongkew Park in the direction of the headquarters of the naval landing party. Shells fell over a wide area of the northern district. Three shells struck the Victoria Nursing Home, which was recently evacuated. Others dropped near the Hongkew police station, where five Japanese children were seriously iniured and two Japanese adults were killed. Damage to Foreigners' Dwellings. Numerous fires were started on the North Szochuen Road, where Chinese explosives played havoc among many deserted foreign-owned dwellings. It is estimated that 60 shells fell around the Japanese school, which was occupied by infantry. Five struck the buildings and there were several casualties. Two Japanese bluejackets and three infantrymen were killed. A Japanese Howitzer battery returned the fire with devastating effect. The battle to-night mainly centres on the Kiangwan front. It. lias been definitely ascertained that the 38th Division of Chinese troops, consisting of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek's National Guards, who are regarded as China's crack troops, took part in the heavy counter-attack along the Kiangwan front yesterday. Chinese prisoners have been identified as members of that division. Fierce Engagement at Chapei. The fiercest engagement at Chapei since the Japanese first launched their offensive was fought last night, The Chinese threw the whole of their weight against the Japanese and a sanguinary battle ensued. The Japanese were forced to give ground and only succeeded in checking the Chinese just outside the boundaries of the International Settlement. Fieldguns, Howitzers and trench mortars bombarded the Japanese lines incessantly, while the Japanese naval gunners replied shot for shot. The battle was waged for four hours in the darkness, during which the Japanese lines wavered and fell back, but they returned to the attack as the artillery took heavy toll of Ihe Chinese. Several fires were started as a result, of the Chinese bombardment, and Ihe firemen could not check the (lames owing to the shelling. It. is reported officially that. .300 Japanese were killed yesterday, bringing the total to more than JOOO since the fighting commenced. The Chinese casualties have not been ascertained, but. several thousand undoubtedly have, been killed and wounded. More than 2500 Chinese wounded are in the various hospitals.