1000 CASUALTIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23130, 31 August 1938, Page 13

1000 CASUALTIES

CHINESE CIVILIANS GREAT JAPANESE AIR RAID TWO HUNDRED BOMBS DROPPED USE OF POISON GAS ALLEGED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 31, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 30 ■One thousand civilians were killed or wounded when 50 Japanese aeroplanes dropped 200 bombs, mostly incendiary, on Kingshan, 80 miles north-west of Hankow. Seven hundred houses were destroyed. The northern Japanese forces driving on Hankow claim the capture of Fenglintu, 300 miles distant, and also Hwoshan, a key position on the LiuanHankow highway, says a message from Tokio.

The Chinese allege that poison gas was used in the Killing sector of the Yangtse, two battalions being wiped out by this means.

The pressure exercised by the Chinese owing to their occupation of Tsienshan, Taihu and Susuang, has resulted in the shattering of the Japanese communications between the Yangtse Valley and the Anwhei plains, says a message from Shanghai.

This leads in turn to imperilling the Japanese front east of the Tapeh range, as far as the Hwangmei front west of the vital point of Anking. Chinese gueriila troops exploded a mine under a Japanese military train 50 yards outside the city wall, says the Peking correspondent of the Times. Seven freight cars and a section of the track were destroyed. This is the most daring exploit recorded in this area. British residents of Shanghai have evacuated the fashionable suburb of Hungjao as the result of the Japanese despatching troops thither in order to resist a threatened attack by 4000 or 5000 guerilla fighters, says the correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. Chinese scouts set fire to the bridge outside the golf course and hoisted a Chinese flag before withdrawing without a shot being fired.

ATTACK ON FLIERS RECOVERY OF BODIES ALL RIDDLED WITH BULLETS [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The following cablegram from Hankow was received to-day by the Chinese Consul:—"The international air liner which was attacked and forced down by the Japanese and sank in the river has been salvaged. It 6howed innumerable bullet holes. "The bodies of ten passengers, including two noted Chinese bankers, were recovered. All the bodies were riddled with bullets.

"The enemy, in an attack on Jiuchang, used poison gas, causing losses among our troops. We took up a new line north-west of Jiuchang and on the hills west of this city. Severe fights ing which has been to our advantage is continuing ai. these two places.

"Tliren hundred Japanese at Niuweitun were surrounded and annihilated after three days' fighting. The enemy from Hopei is threatening Lo-an, but the advance has been checked until after the arrival of reinforcements."