ROAR OF GUNS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 9

ROAR OF GUNS

SHANGHAI SHAKEN HOSPITAL SHIP HIT CHINESE EXPLANATION LONDON, Sept. 11 People on the Bund to-day were in the front row during several hours of the noisiest performance yet presented, says the Shanghai correspondent of the Times. The opening scene included a big Japanese hospital ship berthed beside the Japanese Consulate, with a Japanese destroyer in midstream and the flagship Idumo near by.

A shell from Pootung hit the hospital ship and the indignation of two warships was expressed in a bom bard in en t which shook tho whole of the citv.

Chinese at Pootung and v.renehmortars elsewhere responded furiously while Japanese aircraft added to the spectacle by bombing Chinese gun emplacements.

When the shelling was at its height, the British' steamer Kosalie Moller sailed upsftream through it, packed with holiday-makers from Tsingtao, returning in happy mood to their homes.

A few shells hit a building behind the warships and caused some casualties and damage. The Chinese explain that the shelling was directed against the warships. The fact that the hospital ship in line behind was hit, was a pure accident.

Heavy firing by all arms is proceeding from several distant points. The bombing of the Japanese warships occurred just after midnight. A tremendous fusilade followed, directed by searchlights.

DAILY AIR TERROR ORDEAL OF SWATOW DEFENCE MEANS LACKING LONDON". Sept, 13 According to refugees from Swatow, 800 in number, of whom 60 are foreigners, the Japanese bombed the town almost daily last week, says the Hongkong correspondent of the Times. The Chinese defence was at first inellective. Owing to the nnpreparedness of the city and the lack of anti-aircraft guns, the Japanese were able to bomb at their leisure from low altitudes. They used, however, only small bombs. Later, counter-fire from the ground improved. Swatow Harbour remained closed at night and the coast lighthouses were extinguished. Swatow lies 225 miles E.N.TC. of Canton and has a population of about SO,OOO. Six Japanese bombers raided Wai(how, inland from Bias Bay. They killed several people and departed before Chinese machines arrived. Japanese destroyers twice visited Taishan Island, north-west of Hongkong, destroying the Customs House and burning several boats. Similar raids are reported from many points on the coast