BATTLES IN AIR.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20273, 16 August 1937, Page 8

BATTLES IN AIR.

4.30 O’CLOCK EDITION

PLANES BROUGHT DOWN

THE CHINA-JAPAN DISPUTE CLAIMS AND COUNTER-CLAIMS. United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Aug. 16, 3.20 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 15. The Nanking correspondent of the Dally Telegraph, says the Chinese claim that twelve Japanese air bombers were shot down In air battles over Nanking today and Hangchow yesterday. The excited populace of Nanking witnssed to-day’s encounter, when twelve Japanese threeengined Heinkel bombers from the aerodrome at Formosa came In sight and ten Chinese fighters soared to attack. The Japanese, after dropping bombs near the aerodrome and the Ming Palace, turned back the. fighters and pur- • sued them for ninety minutes, bringing down six machines, two in flames. One killed two Chinese women when it fell. The Chinese declare that they did not, lose a single man or machine Marshal diking 'Kai-shek reports that Chinese machines brought down six Japanese planes of lliose raiding the Hangchow aerodrome, and drove off the remainder. Japanese planes silenced Chinese artillery concentration on ilongkew before material damage was done to the Japanese settlement.

MANY PLANES DESTROYED.

MASTERY OVER SHANGHAI. CHINA'S NOTICE TO POWERS. CONTROL OVER OWN TERRITORY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel, Copyright. (Received August 16, 3.15 p.m.) SHANGHAI, August 15. The Japanese claim complete aerial mastery of Shanghai as a result of lightning raids on the Chinese aerodromes at Chien Chiao, destroying a hangar and 22 planes; at Hangchow, a hangar and twelve planes; at lvwangteh, a hangar and ten planes; at Nanslang, twenty planes; also at Hungjao. The number of planes put out of action was 70, including four in an aerial combat. The Chinese dispute the Japanese claims, and assert that limy shot down four raiders at Hangchow. The Major of Shanghai, when told that consular representatives were protesting against Chinese planes flying over the international settlement, said that the area was Chinese territory, over which China had aerial jurisdiction, therefore the Powers must not interfere with such flights, which were intended to demolish enemy warships which were using the settlement as the base for military operations.

A MOVE BY BRITAIN.

PROTECTION OF NATIONALS. PEOPLE KILLED IN BOMBING. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received August 16, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 15. The Japanese Embassy in London, citing the loss of tile and property from the “outrageous" bombing of the international settlement, announces that tlie Japanese Cabinet is- sending surgeons, medical comforts, and ambulance facilities to the victims, irrespective of nationality. The situation was discussed at a conference at Whitehall between representatives of the War Office, the Admiralty ami the Air Force, when it was decided to move a battalion of the Lister Hi lies from Hongkong to Shanghai to evacuate a number of Britons, pursuant lo which the Consul-General in SI angli d is ait mging to evacuate women and children to Hongkong on August 17. Tim evacuation of American women and children from Woosung will begin to-morrow. A temporary truce will permit tenders to pass Japanese warships in the \ strong protest has been lodged with the Nanking Government in connection with I lie bombing of tin* international sell lenient, and England, America and Eranee are making representations to Tokio and Nanking in the hope of obtaining tin* withdrawal of Chinese and Japanese troops from the areas inline,liatelv adjacent to the Japanese bases and 'operations. Tho Casualties. The casualties arc now computed at 1167 (lead and 13*28 wounded. No further bombs have been dropped tcries at Ilaichantr. north of Ilongkew, set. fire to the Japanese naval attache's nfllee and dam i-.'d the landing party’s In- uhiuarters, killing a sub lieutenant The Curfew lias been introduced in tho international settlement and the French concession, and tin* streets are deserted by to p.m. fugees have alreadv bidden themselves cl pal council has ordered 10.000 tons from Hongkong. PROPOSED TENNIS TOUR. CANCELLED BY JAPAN. Untied Press Assn.—Eire. Tel. Copyright (Received August 16, 3.1 :• p.m.' MELBOURNE. August 16. Tho lapancsc tennis aulliwritie* have <c iitiii.- d m next column.)

cabled Hie Tennis Association that the 1 proposed lour of Japan by Hopman and of the present political situation.