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No. 29,761
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1937
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AUSTRALIA'S CHOICEST
BUTTER
CHINESE DEFENCE OF PAOTINGFU
Ambush Disaster Report Rouses Japanese Anxiety
BRIGADE REPORTED TO BE
IN FULL RETREAT
PLANES RUSHED TO AREA TO CONFIRM
DISASTER
Tientsin, 1.30 p.m. To-day.
SOVIET PLANES FOR CHINA: NEW RUMOURS
Shanghai, 1.30pm To-day. Rumours are în circulation here
BAD WEATHER - SAVES CAPITAL FROM RAIDS
Nanking, To-day.
A very cloudy sky and the threat of rain promises Nanking further temporary zelief from Ja- panese air bombings.
Meanwhile, the exodus of the population has ceased and city life is returning to normal.--Ben-
HK MYSTERY
EAPLANE:
The greatest single action of the war is now raging round Paotingfu, where heavy civilian ca- sualties have been inflicted by Japanese artillery suggesting that under arrangements bombardment of the city and constant air raids.reached by the Nanking Govern- A large zone in the northern suburbs of the city ment with the Soviet, contracts have has been devastated, according to reliable reports been reached for the supply of a and there is a steady flight of the population using large number of seroplanes, heavy "ying high from the direction o
guns and armoured cars to the Cheung Chau, circling several every means of conveyance out of the east gate.
Japanese claim that they are approaching the north wall of Paotingfu, stating that the Asuda Brigade broke through in the centre. It is also as serted by Japanese military headquarters that the Ishigura Brigade, attacking from the west flank, captured a railway station to the south of Pao- ting this morning, effectively preventing the arri- val of reinforcements.
This is directly contradicted by another report received late this morning by the Japanese military authorities, announcing that the Ishigura Brigade fell into an ambush while approaching Paotingfu from the west and that the remnants retreated in complete confusion after more than half the brigade had been wiped out.
Military authorities here declare that they doubt the truth of the report, but considerable ex- citement was caused on receipt of the despatch and orders were immediately issued for the despatch of six large bombers and several reconnaissance planes to the scene of the disaster.
LINE HOLDING
are holding firm and no breach in the line has been achieved.
It is unofficially estimated that casualties suffered by both sides in two days of severe fight- ing exceed 20,000 killed and wounded:
Domei reported this morning that at 8 am, Japanese troops entered the city from the north, but this is regarded as distinctly premature. More than 100,000 Chinese troops are defending the city, and though: it is admitted that they have givențily in the action.
way to some extent în
under
violent pressure, the
The Okamoto Brigade lost heav-
A terrific artillery duel
(Continued on Page 243
Chinese forces.
Reports of a mystery plane 1over Hong Kong last
of
times over the city and flying off It is stated that the Soviet has over Lyeentun, apparently refer intimated its ability to supply 400 to a machine of the Far Eastern
machines, fast fighters and heavy Flying School, which was up be-. bombers of long range, immediate-tween 6 pm and 6.35 pm. your own Correspondent. yesterday.
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