JAPANESE SHELLFIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17740, 29 March 1932, Page 9

JAPANESE SHELLFIRE

SEEN FROM LINER TANDA DESTRUCTION OF WOOSUNG SYDNEY. March 24. “(lit the way up the river to Shanghai. a Japanese shell whistled over the stern of the ship; a second later it hurst in the village of Woosung. When onr ship was steaming down the river next day we saw shells from Japanese warships and bombs from Japanese aeroplanes bursting over the village and the Woosung forts. The village was in flames, and 'presented a picture of destruction and desolation.” In those graphic phrases Mr A. 11. Old is, of Melbourne, described film Japanese bombardment of Woosung forts and village as he saw it from the decks of the E. and A. liner Tanda, which reached Sydney yesterday iroin Japan ami Eastern ports. Officers, crew, and passengers on the Tanda had an experience they will never forget. The bombardment war at its height when the Tanda passed up the Whiingpoo River to Shanghai, and again next day when the vessel steamed down the river and out to sea. The danger from shellfire or rifle fire was considered to be so grave when the Tanda was passing tip the river that ’passengers were ordered oft the decks until the ship was well past the forts. Passengers considered that if the Tanda had not been flying the British Ensign she would not have escaped unscathed. MR OLD IS’ STORY Mr Old is, who, with members of his family, has been spending a holiday in the East, said that when the Tanda entered the river he counted nine Japanese .ships of war. On the fol lowing day, when the Tanda was passing down the river, he saw 3t>. • “We all spent an anxious time,” said Mr Ohlis. ‘ ‘ Perhaps the most exciting moment was when the shell passed over the stern. Fortunately for us, the Chinese did not retaliate. I would not like to say what would have happened if they had, because we were in the direct line ot fire. In spite of Japanese provocation I consider that the Chinese used admirable restraint. The whole of the time we were on the river the Japanese did not stop firing.” Mr Old is gave a vivid description or the destruction wrought on the village of Woosung itself. He said that the Tanda passed within a few chains of the village, and although a, pall of smoke hung over it. and the day was murky, lie and other passengers were aide *to .see tho full effects of the bombardment. “Shells had left, gaping holes on the banks of the river, and the village was iu flames, ” he continued. “The bombardment was merciless. It continued from the sea and from the air. Wherever a shell burst there, followed a black mass of smoke, and .then flames. The forts were raked with gunfire in the same manner. Practically every building had been shattered, and those that were not were destroyed by fire.” A curious feature of the bombardment, he said, was that the Japaneseattacked' from inside the river. Although many Japanese ships of war lay off the coast, ho was not aware that nnv shots were tired from that diiection. An explanation of this was that a British warship lay in close to the score, the Japanese ships being scattered farther out to sea. THE UNION JACK “Amid the ruins of Woosung village,’ we were all surprised to see a substantial building left untouched,” stated Mr Ohlis. “There was it further 'surprise when he saw, through the smoke, Die Union Jack fluttering over it. Bo hind this lay a remarkable .story. ” Mr Old is said that the building was the Forts Hotel, at Woosung, and the proprietor, Captain Frederick Davies, an 84-year-old Briton, had refused to leave the village when the bombardment commenced. Although till Captain Davies’ servants, except one boy, fled in terror, the old man remained, undaunted,.by the storm of shells and bombs. IDs chief concern was that the Union Jack should still float, in the murky atmosphere of the wrecked village. “It was a splendid tribute to the respect of tho Japanese for the Union Jack that the hotel was not blown to bits,” added Mr Ohlis. “Obviously, the building was unharmed because of the special care taken by the Japanese gunners.” Captain Davies eventually capitulated, because food supplies ran out, and he was taken to Shanghai. At one period, Chinese soldiers with machineguns stationed themselves behind the hotel, but Captain Davies, in a rage, ordered them away, and they obeyed. FEELING IN- SHANGHAI The Tanda called at Shanghai, and, according to Mr Ohlis, there was intense feeling. The bombardment down the river could be heard plainly. In several parts of Shanghai he saw barbed-wire entanglements, guarded by British soldiers. Several ships filled with refugees left Shanghai while lie was there.

One of the officers of the Tanua stated that the trips up and down the river were a most unpleasant experience. There was always the possibility of a shell hitting the ship. Many of the passengers had their first experience of shell-lire, and they are not anxious to renew the experience. All agreed, however, that they will never forget it.