CHAPEI BOMBED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 181, 18 August 1937, Page 5

CHAPEI BOMBED

—Press Assoclation.)

Railways Smashed JAPANESE AIR-RAIDS Shells Scream Over Refugee Ships SHANGHAI EVACUATI0N

(By Telegraph-

(Received 18, 10.40 a.m.) SHANGHAI, Aug. 17. Twelve Japanese pianes bombed Chapei for an hour. Japanese aircraft also raided the junction of the Shanghai-Nanking and Shang-hai-Hangchow railways two miles outside the north station, destroying lines, repair-shops and water-, towers. A second flight of seven planes completed the destruction, bombed strategic points and started fires. The Chinese ineffectnally retaliatcd with machineguns. While the Chinese were furiously attacking the Japanese, 15 Britous were marooned for three hours under fire at the Foreign Settlement police station in north-eastcrn Shanghai. The police arranged tEcir safo conduct through the Japanese lines before yielding ground to the Japanese. With bombs falling on both sides of the Whangpoo river and shells sereaming overhead, British bluejackets calmly carried out the evaeuation of 2000 women and 60 children^ who assembled at three heavily-barrieaded points near the Shanghai Club. Rain intensified the hardships of embarkation. Three Chinese planes flying in formation suddenly emerged from the clouds almost directly over a launch full of American refugees, and a burst of antiaircraft fire greeted them, but the launch was not hit. Another Chinese squadron commenced firing on the Falmouth as she was

preparing to leave and the Japanese warships were also firing furiously. It was a terrifying moment for the refugees aboard the Falmouth. The women and children crouched down on the deck, somo petrified with fear. The uien who had been farewelling their womenfolk from a pontoon xan hastily for shelter, and when the destroyers leffc a terrilic artillery ducl was proceeding. The Eajputana has leffc her mooring afc Woosimg for Hongkong. The Japanese to-day bombed. the Chinese section of tho Bund and resumed the bombardment and bombing of Pootung. It is believed they silenced fche Chinese guns which have been bombarding the Japanese positions at Hongkew aerosis the river. The Japanese admit the flagship Idumo has been damaged, but she is still using her guns. The American destroyer Perry is due fco-day to supplement the other American warships evacuating nationals. At 9.20 a.m., two Japanese aeroplanes circled overhead as the British women and children started boarding the destroyers, Falmouth and Duncan, which wero taking them down the river to join the Eajputana off Woosung. Tne Duncan left at 10.55 a.m.., the refugees being ordered below, as firing was proceeding all along tho waterfront. The uight passed quietly. .Only one iire was not cxtinguished.