VICTORY TO JAPANESE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 7

VICTORY TO JAPANESE

DEVELOPMENT AT SHANGHAI

CHAPEI AND KIANGWAN ABANDONED

CHINESE OCCUPY NEW LINES BEYOND RANGE OF WARSHIPS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Oct. 27, 9.56 p.m. SHANGHAI, Oct. 27. The Japanese, in a powerful offensive along the whole Chapei front at dawn, captured the north station and occupied the adjoining administration building, the so-called Chinese “Alcazar,” also the international racecourse. The Japanese captured Chenju station, on the Nanking-Shanghai railway. Since early morning the Chinese north of Shanghai have resumed their withdrawal. The Japanese flag flies from the North Station, and other flags along Soochow Creek indicate the progress of the troops pursuing the Chinese. It is estimated that the areas involved amount to several square miles. Further inland the Japanese ’planes are active, gunning and bombing the retreating troops. The latest reports indicate that the Japanese suddenly dashed southwards through Chapei, reaching Soochow Creek, and cutting off an area of Chapei in which hundreds of Chinese made a bitter stand. Declining foreign advice to surrender, they stated that they were determined to remain to the last man. They were trapped within.four square miles of flame set ablaze by the Japanese with the purpose of smoking them out. The Chinese spokesman admitted that the Chinese had abandoned all positions at Kiangwan and Chapei, but claimed that the retreat was orderly. Moreover, it would place the new lines beyond the effective range of the Japanese warships on the Yangtse. which have shelled the Chinese mercilessly. A fire of unprecedented dimensions is raging at Chapei, where the Chinese blew up and ignited buildings before retiring. The British United Press correspondent states that the Chinese are taking up new positions on the south bank of Soochow Creek beyond the highways outside the International Settlement. Mr. Pembroke Stephens, in a dispatch to the Daily Telegraph, says that Japanese ’planes pursuing the retreating Chinese machinegunned a British post on Brennan Road. The British retaliated, hitting the ’plane but not bringing it down. There were no British casualties. A later message from Mr. Stephens states that Chapei was evacuated without fighting during the early hours of the morning and the Japanese victory is complete. Maddened Refugees. Thousands of maddened refugees in western Shanghai are seeking to. enter the foreign areas, fearing that the Japanese soon will cross Soochow Creek. Chinese soldiers are assisting the foreign troops to exclude them. The Japanese are air-bombing the area, also the railway line, on which trucks are close to the British post where Rifleman W. McGowan was shot on Sunday. It is reported that the British troops are firing anti-aircraft guns whenever the Japanese approach too close, in accordance with the British military announcement on Monday. An Italian, who was a member of the grenadier defence force, was killed by shrapnel.