IN INDO-CHINA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 7

IN INDO-CHINA

Heavy Japanese Losses From Artillery Shelling

(United Press Association.—CopvTigUt.—Rec 12.30 p.m.) LONDON. September 24. A message from Hanoi (Indo-China) says the French have recaptured Dongdang, which was lost yesterday, and are reported to be determinedly standing at Langson. The French Ambassador to Washington, M. Haye, asserted that the French forces in Indo-China are determined to resist the Japanese, regardless of the odds against them. French Artillery, shelling from strong fortifications, is taking a heavy toll of the Japanese, whose bodies are piled high along the roads outside Langson. The Japanese announced that they will launch a major attack to-morrow, including the bombing of Haiphong. The Japanese appear to be attacking independently. Major-General Nishihara. head of the Japanese mission, who sailed from Haiphong for Hainan, is reported to be attempting to persuade General Ando, commanding the Japanese Army in South China, to delay his attack. Attempts To Halt Japanese Offensive. Major-General Nishihara encountered the Japanese invasion fleet of eight transports, one cruiser and three destroyers en route for Haiphong. He is reported to have asked the fleet commander to defer the attempt at a landing. Haiphong schools are closed and trains are evacuating civilians. The Franco-Japanese agreement signed last Sunday has been cancelled. Another message says fighting on the border ceased at noon, but French officials stated that the situation was still very grave. The Japanese yesterday made two daylight air raids on the strategic railway and border town of Langson. They also resumed shelling. In the afternoon six Japanese aeroplanes twice concentrated their bombs on the Langson airport and market place, and fighting took place at Langson all the afternoon. Japanese aeroplanes which bombed Langson were apparently operating from an aircraft carrier. A hospital train from the border arrived at Hanoi carrying over 100 wounded. Red Cross stations have been established throughout the city in view of the emergency. The army has commandeered motor cars.