CO129-563-17 Sino-Japanese War- attacks on shipping. For extracted photographs see CN 3-12 27-9-1937 - 17-1-1938 — Page 64

Enclosure No.7.

Ping Shan Police Station.

12th December, 1937.

64

Chan Sing, 26 years, partner of the Sam Hing, sugar and salt

dealers, unnumbered matshed, Yung Long Wan, of Lung Ku Tan village, British Territory

States:-

I have lived at the above address 22 years with my

mother Chan Choi Yau,

I have seen Japanese warships anchored off Ma Chau island at intervals, during the last 2 months. I have never seen Japanese small craft approach British Territory. I seldom leave

the above address, usually twice a month I go to Hong Kong for 1 day. I went to Hong Kong on the morning of the 10th December, 1937, and returned the same afternoon at 15.30 hours. A Japan- ese warship had anchored off Ma Chau during my absence.

On the 11th December, 1937, at about 14.30 hours I saw a Chinese Maritime Customs cruiser flying the Chinese national flag at the stern steam round Black Point and set a course for Van Ha on Chinese Territory side of Deep Bay. When I saw her first she was about 1/4 mile away. I could not see her name, but her flag and superstructure were quite clear. When she arrived at about 1/4 mile off Ngau Wan Fu, the point across Yung Long Bay from Black Point, I heard a loud report coming from the direction of Ma Chau, and saw a splash in the water in front of the Custom cruiser's bar. I surmised that the Japanese warship had fired on it. I was then standing at the door of my mat shed. The Japanese ship fired about 6 shots before the customs cruiser put about. These shots all dropped into the sea. She then ran for the beach in front of the Wing Yeung store. Shots were fired at

her while she was approaching the beach - one exploded in front of the Wing Yeung Company. I ran from my matshed to a disused quarry at the South end of the beach and climbed about 50 feet to 75 feet up the hillside.