ATTACK ON NANKING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20190, 30 August 1927, Page 9

ATTACK ON NANKING

NORTHERNERS SUFFER HEAVILY. THE CITY BADLY DAMAGED. (Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) . SHANGHAI, August 28. Following the Northerners’ attempt on Friday to cross the Yangtse and launch an attack on Nanking, the present stronghold of the Nationalists and Southerners, those who crossed (approximately 10,000) were either killed or taken prisoners, the wounded being murdered. This shows the determination of the Southerners to fight instead of retreating, though it is believed that the resistance would be shortlived. The Northern drive was badly "managed. and it was a simple task for the Southerners to wipe out the small force which crossed the river and was never reinforced through want of transportation. The Southerners killed the general commanding and regained Lungtan station, midway between Nanking and Chinkiang, thus reopening railway communication with Shanghai, which was interrupted on Fridav owing to the cutting of the railway by Northern spies. A second crossing is anxiously awaited. Meanwhile the Northern artillerv is bombarding Nanking continuously. The damage to Nanking and Pukow cities is increasing, as the gunners are improving with practice. • Ships passing run great risks. —A. and N.Z. Cable.