The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-27

1t is past these forts that
japanese reinforcements are
expected to be transported to
reinforce the stymied Jap
anese forces in the lines.
Japan's Eleventh division will
arrive within a few days to rein
force troops already here for a
smashing offensive against Chinese
lines, but will not land at inter-
national settlement, Mamoru Shige-
mitsu, japanese minister, said to-
day, following protests by allied
conSulS.
Center on Artillery Attack
japanese guns aided the airmen
in pouring shrapnel and bombs on
the Chinese defenders of Tazang, in
the center OF the line.
And the artillery practically
went it alone" in bombarding the
Chinese at Chapel, the end of the
battle front nearest international
settlement.
Two Japanese units cleaning out
Chinese Snipers at Kiangwan vii
IAge established contact at opposite
sides of the northern end Of the
village at p. m. Is a. m. Indian
apolis time). They began burning
shacks and houses and preparing
for final assault on Tazang.
Late today Chang Kai-Shek sent
men from his Eighty-eighth di-
vision into the lines at Chapel to
relieve the units of the Nineteenth
route army which had defended the
area against Japanese attacks for
a month.
The Japanese claimed movements
behind the Chinese lines indicated
withdrawal from Chapel. 1nveSti-
CATION showed that men from the
Nineteenth route army were going
back of the lines for rest while
Chiang's soldiers moved in.
Fresh Troops in Line
The fresh Chinese troops immedi-
ately exchanged rifle and machine
gun fire with the Japanese.
The positions at Tazang remained
unchanged, with the opposing
fronts only about $50 yards apart.
With japanese on the offensive
here in deadly fighting already TAX
ing toll of 5000 admitted Chinese
casualties this week, and 1000 esti-
mated japanese casualties, there
were reports that the Chinese
planned an offensive in Manchuria.
These reports arose from a move
ment of Chinese leaders from Nam
king to Loyang, new capital of the
central government. Conferences
we're planned with Marshal Chang
Hseuh- Liang and other militarists.
Reports said the Manchurian
campaign would start March /,
when the boy emperor, Henry Pu-Yi
is inaugurated chief executive.
Air Bombing Terrific
japanese airmen who bombed the
Chinese airdrome at Hangchow
Friday took to the air early today,
aided by clear visibility and renewed
their terrific bombardment. The
racks of the war birds were loaded
to capacity with 250-pound bombs.
The chief retaliation they had to
fear was ineffective machine gun
and rifle fire.
Today's Japanese offensive fol-
lowed night of artillery bonn
bardment of the Chinese position
at Tazang, which was halted for
only few hours before dawn. With
planes in action and artillery ap-
parently more effective than usual,
the green-clad japanese soldiers
crouched in their lines, ready to
push the Chinese back to their Sec
ond defenses.
The morning bombardment Of
Chapel started numerous fires. The
japanese were Smelling the ruins
of the once prosperous Chinese set
Element from the Hongkew Park
rifle range, inside the international
area.
Heavy Damage Caused
The relentless hail of high ex-
plosives on the Lion Hill forts
caused immense property damage in
the area. At noon, after four hours
of the continuous aerial attack, Chi
nese forces appeared demoralized
and in danger of losing their posi-
tons.
The terrific battering by artillery
and planes continued in midafter-
noon on the Tazang-Kiangwan Sec
tor.
T. v. Soong, ranking member of
the Chinese government at Shang-
hal, issued statement denying that
he had requested Bert Hall, Amer
lean aviator, to return to China as
commander Of the Chinese air
forces.