1937-09-21 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 21, 1937

Page

MASS RAID OVER CANTON Twenty-One Machines Attack: Several Dog-Fights

THREE SHOT DOWN: SHANGHAI FIRES ON OUTSKIRTS. MAYOR ON AIR

SIGHTED FROM MACAO

OVER LAPPA ISLAND

Canton, To-day..

A large-scale Japanese air raid was carried out on Canton and surrounding districts this morning, and though loss of life and damage done seems to have been negligible, the populace was treated to the most thrilling hour they have experienced in many years.

Full facts of the raid are not yet available from official sources, but it is claimed that three of the Japanese raiders were brought down.

The raiders apparently followed the tactics used in the bombing of Nanking, as out of the ori- ginal force of between 20 and 30 planes which cross- ed the coast early this morning, only ten actually participated in the raid on Canton, the others dis- persing in different directions.

Twenty-one Japanese planes were sighted in Macao at 6.20 this morning above Lappa Island, -proceeding in the direction of Canton.

First hint of impending attack from the skies was given in Cantón at 6.30, when the air raid sirens shrilled their warning.

RAID MENACES

Shanghai, To-day.

Chinese sources closely con- nected with the Canton Govern- ment phoned Reuter that from

In reply to the foreign diplomatic ten to fifteen bombs were drop request that the Chinese and Japan- ped, all of which are alleged to ese authorities take steps to prevent have landed in fields on the planes from flying over the foreign fringe of Canton, setting on fire areas of their vicinity, and endan- a number of matsheds.

gering the lives of the civilian po- aircraft and the all clear signai Shanghai, Mr. O. K Yui, points out Finally the sky was cleared of pulation, the Mayor of Greater

sounded at 8:30. Reuter.

SIX BROUGHT DOWN

was

1)

Canton, To-day. Chinese sources now de clare that six Japanese planes were brought down in various sectors in this morn- ing's aerial activity but no details are available pending the official report.

It is understood that the Japanese planes were from the aircraft carrier Notoro at Chekwan.

A Japanese gunboat shell- ed Paimanshan, near Chek- wan, at 9.35 this morning. There are no details at pre- sent. Reuter.

THIRTEEN SEEN RETURNING

that the fact that the International Settlement and part of the Whang- poo has been made the base of Japanese military operations, has compelled the Chinese authorities to take defensive measures in the air over their own territory.

The Chinese authorities also re- gret that the lives and property of Chinese and other nationals in the Settlement are endangered, and therefore have given strict orders to the Chinese air force and other military units to take care that the lives of non-combatants living in the [foreign areas not be endangered by military actions, as far as this is possible.

After stressing once more that only the fact that the Japanese are using the foreign areas as a base for their military operations and are re- sponsible for endangering these zones, the Mayor suggests that the commanders of foreign naval units at Shanghai request the Japanese Macao, To-day.

not to use the zones as a base of Thirteen Japanese planes were

their operations. Trans-Ocean. The raiders were first sighted by Chinese sighted from Macao at 8.30 this morning, apparently proceeding in watchers at Whampoa at 7 o'clock, when they were the direction.

London, To-day. of the Ladrone

Five giant Singapore seaplanes engaged by Chinese planes, after which they dis-Islands.

of Number 210 Flyingboat persed in different directions..

The planes are believed to be Squadron Teft Pembroke Dock yes- part of the twenty-one machines terday morning for the Mediter- Ten of the machines, however, flew on to Can-seen this morning proceeding in the ranean to take part in the anti-

Ipiracy patrol British Wireless. ton, where they were engaged by Chinese planes, direction of Canton.-Reuter. while anti-aircraft guns came into action.

An intensive aerial battle went on right over the city. The planes were clearly visible from Reu- ter's office on Shameen:

Reuter's correspondent reported witnessing one plane being shot down, though its identity could not be ascertained. From the roof of the Victoria Hotel, Reuter's correspondent had a clear view of the whole engagement.

He witnessed Japanese planes circling over the city and then going into power dives. He heard the thunder of their bombs, and then saw smoke rising from beyond the skyline of roof tops.

Chinese A.A. guns responded from positions north and east of Canton, their grey puffs of smoke as the shells burst spotting the sky.

The Japanese planes appeared to circling-time and time again over split up into two or three groups the north and eastern sections of

After the first bombing one party the city. veered in a westerly direction and the other headed northward.

SHORT LULL

What appeared to be dog fight was visible from Shameen, and the splatter of machine-gun clearly audible

ONE GOES DOWN

A short fall occurred and then the planes, apparently returning to Foreigners, on the roof of the their base, flew over the city again. Victoria Hotel distinctly saw one loosing off a further cargo of plane execute what was apparently bombs, with the AA guns echoing a power dive, but the machine fail- and re-echoing across the city. ed to re-appear in the sky and it is Fast Chinese pursuit planes en-presumed it had fallen a victim gaged the Japanese, both sides to the accurate Chinese fire.

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