SHANGHAI & SHANSI FRONTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 26, 23 October 1937, Page 5

SHANGHAI & SHANSI FRONTS

-Per Press Assoeiatioil-

Invaders in North Threatened With Annihilation "RED NAPOLEON" CUTS THEM OFF

,(By Telegfaph.-

-Copyriglit)

(Received 23, 2,5 p.m.) SHANGHAI, Oct. 22. Japan'f invMion seeras to have received a setback. Waves ti Ohinese counter-attacks on the Shanghai fronte have dealt geverely with the Japanese, who tried unBuccessfully to stem the onrush of hordes of Ohinese in the Woosung Creek area. The Ohinese attacked with great spirit and recaptured the Black Prince Temple and several positions, threatening the rear of the Japanese salient westward of Tasang, the occupation of whioh cost the Japanese heavily. These may be the final hattles for the mastery of Shanghai. Both sides are determined to fight to the end despite their staggering losses. According to a Nanking message, the Japanese in North China are threatened with annihilation owing to outflanking manoeuvres and guerilla raids by the Red Army in the Shansi province. The Ohinese have recaptured the Hsinkow JKeights and relieved the beloaguered troops. The "Red Napoleon," General Chuteh, co-operating with regulars and peasant guerilla forces, is continuing swift thrusts and interrupting Japanese supplies. Mobile units have cut the Japanese rail communication in seven places. Ohinese planes are assisting to cripple transport. They have bombed troop and munition lorries. A Tokio message reports: Anticipating a Japanese offengive against Tsinanfu, the capital of the Shantung province, the Chinese opened the dykes of the Tuhsieh riVer and flooded the area over which the Japanese planned to advance. The Japanese are taking over the Tsingsing coal mines, in North China, containing 220,000,000 tons, from a joint SinoGerman company, huying out the German share.

Reports from Shanghai st&te that •bout 300,000 troops are engaged in a Chinese counter-ofEensive near Tazang '(otherwise spelt Dazang), Tazang, the chief Japanese objeotive »orth of Shanghai, renmins in Chinese kands* The battle field to-day was rocked Jike an earthquake by three huge explosions believed to be land mines. Flames and smoke shot hundrede oi feet into the air. It is impossible to believe that a single Chinese soldier in the vicinity remained alive. The fighting continued unabated, as both sides feel that it may prove the decisive battle of the war, Japanese planes sinee dawn have been carrying out a very heayy bombardment. At leaat 250,000 troops, a score of warships, and dozens of planes are engaged in the fighting, wnich is next door to the Intematio.nal Settlement. Nowhere is the battle over five miles away. British cotton mills are ablaze, but •ther foreign property has miraculously •scaped. Twehty thousand Japanese reinforce®ents landed at Shanghai to-day.