SEVERE FIGHTING

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 23, 20 October 1937, Page 5

SEVERE FIGHTING

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WELLINGTON, This Day. The following Nanking cablegram has been received by the Chinese Consul: — • The severest figliting took place north of Saopang, which changed hands three times. The Chinese air force made four raids on Japanese at Yangtsepoo, Chapei and Kiang-wan. One Japanese warship was bombed, and Japanese air field stores suffered severe damagc. Japanese bombs (lestroyed over 30 farm houses in the Hungjao village. ^ngtien, Yehzah and Changan sta-r tions, on the Shanghai-Hangclrow-Ningpo railway, were bombed; and '32 people killed and wounded. Following an intense artillery barrage, the Japanese again attacked on a long front north of the city. They stormed Tazang and occupied part of it. The Chinese report the arrival of 3000 Japanese rcinforcements and others en route. Chinese warplanes last night attacked a .fleet of warships and transports otf Liuho, causing explosions on several warships. The Chinese allege that rcinforcements are duo to the failure of four hig Japanese offensivcs. The fact is that whereas thc Japanese power to replace losses is limited, thc Chinese are ablo to mahe good tlie heaviest casualties without delay. Tho Japaneso, therefore, continue bombiug and shelling in an endeavour to destroy communications. Japanese warplanes were again most active to-day. Over 150 civilians were killed in five raids o.n Nanking. Two cars en route to Nanking were attacked from the air. They contained an Italian naval officer, a German, a Eussian and a Chinese, who fled to the fields unhurt. The cara wero riddled with bullets. It is announced that since Oct. 15 2057 nou-combatants have been killed and 2955 tnjured In the J^ternational Settlement by misdirected bombs, shells and bullets.