SHOT AT HIS POST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23332, 26 October 1937, Page 9

SHOT AT HIS POST

BRITISH SENTRY IN SHANGHAI MACHINE-GUNNED BY PLANE JAPANESE RESPONSIBLE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) SHANGHAI, Oct. 24. Rifleman W. McGowan, of the Ist Battalion of the Roya.l Ulster Rifles, Whose home is in Donegal, was on sentry duty at the barricades in Keswick road when a Japanese plane machine-gunned the position. He was shot in the head and died in hospital. Another bullet pierced the uniform of Rifleman Jack Lindsay, of Belfast, but a cigarette case deflected it. The men returned the fire and the plane flew off after machine-gunning a riding party of a score of English, Americans, and Chinese. It also machine-gunned an outpost of the Royal Ulsters in the Great Western road There were no casualties. The British residents say that the machine dived five times, shooting continuously Admiral Hasegawa expressed profound regret to Sir Charles Little, saying the airmen believed it was a strong Chinese post. A strong British protest is likely, RIDING PARTY FIRED ON EYE-WITNESS’S ACCOUNT i . SHANGHAI, Oct. 24. How a plane scattered a riding party and residents who were out walking is vividly told by a British eye-witness: “My wife and I were in Keswick road when a Japanese plane dived. Some British soldiers and ourselves ran to a rice field and lay flat on our faces. A moment later we heard machine-gunning and expected every moment to be our last. There were also about 20 men and women riding. Some dismounted; others were thrown off. All ran for cover. Meanwhile the plane dived again with machineguns blazing. When it had swooped five times we ran to the car and drove off.” Mr W. Palmer, of Manchester, said he was walking with a German girl and ran with her and two British couples and their children to a nearby dairy, which was flying the Union Jack. When the plane swooped for the fourth time members of the Royal Ulster Rifles opened fire with a Lewis gun. Mr Nicholson, United States Treasury Agent, said: “A Japanese plane strafed everything along the road.” The two horses which are dead belonged to the Finance Minister, Mr Soong.

GUNS TURNED ON WOUNDED SHANGHAI, Oct. 251 (Received Oct. 26, at 0.15 a.m.) The plane, which swooped down to 100 feet, is believed to have been from the squadron which raided the Jessfield railway bridge. Bombs fell in a nearby recreation ground, Many of the wounded were machinegunned while seeking to enter the International Settlement. The British authorities state that as the SHanghai-Chengchow railway runs alongside the spot the airman had the clearest indication that he was machine-gunning the British defence sector. Corporal Henry Osborne, of London, said: “The plane dived directly at us. Bullets whipped across the road. McGowan, who was taking cover, was bit. I saw he was dying. Rifleman Lindsay was hit by the: same burst. I ordered Rifleman O’Leary to fire at the plane. He fired 80 rounds from a Lewis gun and hit the machine. I saw it quiver, but it straightened up and accelerated. Perhaps I did wrong to order to fire, but I could not bear to see my men fired on without replying. I could not let the Japanese get away with it.” The commander of the British forces, after a conference with the Consul-general, decided to supply headquarters posts with anti-air-craft guns. It is reported that Lieutenantcommander M. S. L. Burnett, of the .cruiser Cumberland, was among the riders who were machine-gunned His horse was killed under him. He was not hurt. Two Russians among the riding party galloped headlong a quarter of a mile to escape the plane, which followed them. Both were thrown, and the horse of one was hit. OFFICIAL CHINESE REPORT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 25 The following Nanking cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul:— In concerted attacks on all fronts the Chinese made substantial gains. Pushing forward from Kwangfu, west of Liuhang, the Chinese recaptured Taiche and Shihchao. The Chinese onslaught compelled the Japanese on the right and left to fall back There were many casualties on both sides. The Chinese forced the Japanese to abandon their first-line trenches at Hsinluche. Chinese surrounded the enemy at Fengtsungtang Creek. The Japanese are fighting desperately, awaiting reinforcements. At Liuho Chinese joined in a general attack and gained two kilometres at different points. There was heavy Japanese bombing all day at Chapei, but the Chinese defence remains unshaken The Japanese bombed trains at Boochow and Sungkiang stations.