RAIDS ON CANTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1938, Page 7

RAIDS ON CANTON

CITY STAGGERS UNDER INTENSE BOMBING Large Numbers of People Killed or Injured SCENES OF TERRIBLE CONFUSION By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. CANTON, May 28. The city of Canton is staggering under intense bombing, begun at 11.15 a.m. today. By noon 100 bombs had been dropped from groups of planes flying over the city. The raiders returned at 1.15 p.m. At least 500 were killed and 900 wounded, including 40 rescuers killed and 50 wounded when they were trapped during the second raid. Wongsha was bombed four times and 100 houses were destroyed. Bombs fell near the public hospital, which is far removed from military establishments. On the other, hand, a Japanese account from Tokio states: “Forty planes effectively bombed Canton railways and military establishments.” Across the river the scene was one of terrible confusion. Thousands of panic-stricken inhabitants tried to cross to the foreign settlement, where guards prevented them from entering. Most took refuge along the waterfront, consequently the carnage was less than was feared. Fires are raging in densely-populated Saikwan and Wongsha areas, both of which are pitted with immense craters. Two streets adjacent to the Wongsha station were demolished. Rescuers are still working, removing victims from the wreckage. J RAILWAY WRECKED. BRITISH NAVAL RATINGS FOR YANGTSE HELD UP. HONG KONG, May 28. In spite of notification of the dispatch today of a special train carrying British naval ratings to relieve the crews of British gunboats on the Yangtse, Japanese overnight so wrecked the Kowloon-Canton railway that the train was unable to leave. ATTACKS REPEATED. HEAVY ADDITIONS TO CASUALTY LIST. (Recd This Day, 9.25 a.m.) CANTON, May 29. The Japanese again bombed Canton today, killing 250 and injuring 450. BOMBS ON STATION. DURING ENTRAINING OF BRITISH NAVAL RATINGS. (Recd This Day, 9.25 a.m.) HONG KONG, May 29. Two hundred British naval ratings were entraining at Wongsha station. Canton, today for Hankow. Forty minutes later, forty Japanese warplanes bombed Canton, concentrating on the station and the Chinese batteries on Honan Island. It is believed the Japanese must have been aware that special trains were due to take British sailors to Hankow when they bombed Canton yesterday. KWEITEH ENTERED. ACCORDING TO JAPANESE REPORT. KEY POINT ON LUNG HAT RAILWAY. ' TOKIO, May 28. Japanese have entered Kweiteh. the key-point of the Lung Hai Railway. They claim that they are still holding Langfeng. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in a message published on Saturday, that Langfeng had been recaptured, heavy casualties being inflicted on the Japanese. This freed the Lunghai railway between Kaifeng and Kweiteh. The Japanese remnants were being pursued by the Chinese, who were also surrounding and attacking Japanese reinforcements at Kwantai. JAPANESE SETBACK. REVERSE AT LANGFENG ADMITTED. (Recd This Day, 10.20 a.m.) PEKING, May 29. The Japanese admit a reverse at Langfeng, the spearhead of their thrust to the interior, and that they are now fighting with their backs to the Yellow River.