AERIAL BATTLE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19700, 4 August 1938, Page 7

AERIAL BATTLE

RAIDERS SHOT DOWN BOMBING OF HANKOW DRIVE ALONG' YANG'TSK SHANGHAI PRECAUTIONS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug. 4, noon.) LONDON, Aug. 3. A Hankow report states that the aerodrome, railway and warehouses were attacked to-day by 18 bombing planes and 10 fighters as part of the Japanese offensive along the Yangtse, whereby it is hoped to capture Hankow' a't an early date in view of the Russian crisis, and to force the Chinese to the upper reaches of the Yangtse. The Chinese city dykes have flooded vast farmlands in the Yuhu area. The Chinese claim that 11 Japanese fighters and one bomber were shot down in an air battle south of Wuchang. Six Chinese planes failed to return to the base. Two made forced landings. It is stated that only 23 Japanese planes out of 70 eluded the defenders and bombed the city. Dublin Man Killed Mr. P. G. Crawley, of Dublin, the commander of a Chinese customs cruiser, and also the second engineer and a boatboy were killed when the vessel was bombed and set on fire by six Japanese seaplanes, 36 miles from Hankow. The gunboat Gnat went to the scene. 'The survivors were picked up by a junk. Elaborate precautions are being made in the International Settlement at Shanghai in readiness for the anniversary of the outbreak of hostilities on August 13. Volunteers have been notified of mobilisation plans. United States marines have closed the bridges from the sector outside. The Japanese declared that rigid martial law will be enforced. They are surrounding Shanghai and seaching Chinese entering and leaving the foreign areas. The Japanese declares that rigid British, American and other foreigners Who are taking refuge in warships to resume the possession of properties in Kiukiang. ; The vessels are unable to move owing to Chinese mines and booms.