REFUGEES REMOVED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 221, 18 August 1937, Page 9

REFUGEES REMOVED.

SHELLS' SCREAM (JVERHEAD,

SHANGHAI, Aug. 17. AVitli bombs falling on both sides of the AA’hnngpoo River and shells screaming overhead, the British bluejackets calmly carried out’tlie evacuation of 2000 women and 60 children, who assembled at three heavily-barri-caded points near the Shanghai Club. Rain intensified the hardships of embarkation. . Three Chinese ’planes flying m f<jr.mation suddenly emerged from the clouds almost directly over a launch

full of American refugees and a burst of anti-aircraft fire greeted them, but the launch was not hit. Another Chinese squadron commenced firing on the Falmouth as she was preparing to leave and tho Japanese warships were also firing furiously. ' , It was a terrifying moment for the refugees aboard the Falmouth. Tho women and children crouched down on the deck, some petrified with fear. The men who had been farewelling their womenfolk from a pontoon ran Jiastily for shelter, and when the destroyers left a terrific artillery duel was proceeding. The refugees were taken by the destroyers’ Falmouth and Duncan down the river to join the ltajputana off Woosung. . Tlie Rajputana later sailed for Hong Kong.