Evening star., 1932-02-22
JAPANESE UNABLE
TO TAKE K|ANGWAN
Small Defending Force Iso-
lated in Walled Village by
Advance of Drive.

Advance of Drive.
Continued From First Page.)
the Japanese tanks and infantry were
slowly making their way through the
village under cover of rain of shells
from the artillery.
The Japanese right flank encoun-
tered little opposition in its drive south
and west Of Kiangwan. The bulk of
the army's strength was centered
against this central point of the 16-
mile line. Large contingents of new
troops were drawn from either end of
the Japanese line, toward Chapel and
toward WooSung, and brought into the
center to strengthen the thrust past
kiangwan.
Barage Laid Down.
A roaring artillery bombardment
pounded the Chinese for two hours this
morning. This was followed by a
massed attack by tanks and heavy Sec
tions Of infantry troops who beat
against the Chinese line in waves, COW
cred by creeping barrage" from the
artillery and by sweeping sheets of ma
chine-gun fire.
In the meantime the Japanese air
planes roared overhead, numbering
away at the Chinese second defense
line in the rear. Passing KiangWan
on the north the Japanese attackers
bent slowly down on Tachang. in the
rear of Kiangwan, and pressed SOUTH
ward toward Chenju, indicating that
Kiangwan would soon be surrounded,
and that new attack would be opened
on Chapel near the International Set
tlement. The Chinese guns at Chapel
began vigorously to lombard the jap
anese positions In North Szechuan
road.
The plucky little Kiangwan garrison
was faced with an apparent imminent
necessity of choosing whether to flee
through the fast narrowing exit or to
remain at their posts in danger OF be-
ing completely surrounded by nightfall.
japanese Pushed Back
In mid afternoon. however, the Jap
anese brigades besieging the village to
the east and south began to recoil from
their terrific attack of the morning
The Chinese traded punch for punch in
this sector throughout the forenoon
and pushed the japanese back under
heavy fire.
TIE japanese wedge pushed nearly
two miles into the defenses northwest
Of Kiangwan during the morning and
forced the Chinese who were defending
that sector to withdraw four miles to
the rear. As they retreated, the
Chinese were subjected to constant ar
tillery fire with the Japanese airplanes
overhead directing the aim of the gun
ners. Following up the advance, Gen.
Uyeda began to move his headquarters
to Tienlotsu, railroad point north of
Kiangwan, and mile and a half west
Of Futan University.
Even though accustomed to periodic
raids by Japanese bombing planes, the
Chinese troops were caught upprepared
when the swift pursuit planes entered
the action, dealing a new kind of death
from the air. According to an eye
witness, panic followed in the Chinese
ranks when these pursuit planes
swooped low over the roads leading to
the rear and raked the marching
Chinese troops, automobiles and motor
cycles with biting machine gun fire.
Planes Swoop Described.
II was moving over the Cheniu road"
said Chinese military officer who
came In from the area several miles
behind the Chinese lines when sudden
ly 13 japanese planes appeared out Of
the horizon.
Most of them were bombers. but q
few swift pursuit planes also were in
cluded in the group. They were flying
high. but as they passed overhead, one
Of the small planes suddenly left the
formation and dropped to earth with
terrific speed. 80.
II thought the plane was about to
crash, but when it neared the road it
Strengthened out, and at the same
moment began pouring stream of
machine gun bullets in the direction Of
Chinese military motor cycle which
ahead of me. The motor cycle was not
hit and kept ON its way
"The plane rose again, then banked
sharply, and returned to repeat the
fusillade. The motor cycle driver again
was not hit but he stopped his machine
and flattened himself out on the ground
while the plane swept on to attack .
body of our infantry which was NOV
ing toward Chenju. In the meantime
the bomberS also got into the action.
Great Havoc Revealed!
II leaped from car and threw myself
into a ditch to avoid being hit, Soon
after bomb exploded perilously near
me- When the air squadron had passed
on drove on down the road and found
great havoc in its wake.
Il soon came upon an overturned
truck with the driver standing rue,
fully at Its side. II was obvious that
one OF the objects Of the aH attack