The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-02-05
First Aerial Engagement in
in Orient Ends in Defeat
for Invader.
FURIOUS BATTLE RACES
American Infantry Arrives
as Terrific Attack Is
Staged in Chapel.
BY H. r. EKINS
United Press STAFF Correspondent
iCopyright. 1892. BY United Press

SH A n G H A l, Feb. s.
Aerial history in the far east
was made today when Chi
nese battle planes shot down
a japanese bomber in the first
aerial engagement recorded
between planes of two orient
al nations.
The Chinese pilot was wounded.
but he got his bomber
The thrilling sky battle occurred
over a smoke -shrouded heavy artil-
lery bombardment below.
The fight followed the appearance
of seven Chinese fighting planes at
Hungjao airdrome. At 11:15 a. m.
Friday (9:15 p. m. Thursday, CEN
trail time) the pilots were ordered
to air patrol duty over war-torn
Chapel, and engage the JAPANESE
bombers in combat if necessary.
The Chinese pursuit planes carried
no bombs.
Crashes in Flames
A Chinese pilot on patrol between
Hungjao and Chapel encountered a
japanese plane. He attacked. A
machine gun duel near Chenju, on
the outskirts of the city. followed.
The japanese bomber crashed in
flames. Its bombs exploded, demol-
ishing the plane.
The Chinese pilot returned to
Hungjao, where inspection revealed
bullet had passed through the
cowling of his ship. He had flesh
wound.
The Chinese air forces include
four pursuit and three bombing
planes, based on scattered fields to
prevent wholesale destruction by a
Japanese bombing attack at Hung
jao, their customary base.
At 10 p. M, Shanghai time, fight
ing between the Chinese and jap
aneSe forces died down temporarily.
the Japanese awaiting new army
reinforcements before starting an
other crushing attack.
Meantime, a Japanse army trans
port arrived and began landing
guns in preparation for the further
japanese campaign to end the stub
born Chinese resistance.
U. S. Troops Arrive
The Thirty-first infantry, first
American expeditionary force to
China since the Boxer rebellion, ar
rived today from Manila at the
height of the terrific battle between
japanese and Chinese forces in the
Chapel sector.
The infantry, 1000 men strong,
reached Shanghai on board the
transport Chaumont. Seven United
States destroyers arrived earlier in
the day, augmenting American ma
rine and naval forces concentrated
in Shanghai.
The transport Chaumont arrived
late this Friday) morning. It was
overdue, having been expected at 2
p. m. The troops will be landed
Saturday morning.
Reinforce Marines
The Thirty-frst infantry will take
their place in the lines along the
American sector of the interna-
tional settlement defenses, REIN
forcing the Fourth regiment. United
States marines, now on duty.
Their arrival brings the United
States land forces up to some $500
men. In addition, the American
warShips concentrated in the
Whangpoo river off Shanghai can
land several hundred bluejackets.
The American troops reached
Shanghai at the height Of a ter
rife aerial and artillery lombard
ment Of the native Chapel area by
the japanese.
Ten japanese airplanes loaded
with highest explosive bombs few
low over Chapel. They opened up
With machine guns over dwindling
lines of Chinese, fighting desperate
ly amid ruins of blackened buildings.
Advance on Two Fronts
The Japanese advance was on
two fronts. They moved into a
japanese cemetery with their right
wing in the Chapel drive. The left
concentrated on the north station
area. The Chinese were between
the japanese pincers. Their ammu-
milton appeared low. None was be-
ing brought up.
The aircraft carrier Hosho dis
patched additional airplanes to CO.
operate with the attacking air feet.
Admiral Koichi Shiosawa, still in
command, appeared determined to
shatter the Chinese stronghold be-
fore the arrival tomorrow of his sue
cessor, Admiral Nomura.
Admiral Shiosawa apparently also
hoped the decisive battle would
crush the Chinese prior to the ar
rival Of Japanese army units, re-
ported due Saturday in large num-
bers. The twelfth division Of regu-
lar army troops was reported due
from Kurume Saturday.