Evening star., 1937-12-16
BY F. HAYDEN VINES


,. BY F. HAYDEN VINES
SHANGHAI, Dec. is (P).-It was
= horrible experience, this Japanese
aerial bombardment OF the Panay and
three Standard Oil river boats.
Sunday afternoon the three Stand
ard OIL tankers, with the Panay and
miscellaneous small craft, were an
chored in midstream % miles above
Marking, having moved up the Yang
tie to avoid hostilities around Nanking
About 1880 pm. was standing on
the forward deck of the Meiping zone
OF the tankers) when I heard ap-
preaching airplanes. They few over
us and the other ships huddled in the
river, observing. Then, wheeling, they
flew away and, lining up for attack,
headed for us again.
Planes Power Dive.
An instant later, from considerable
height, they began power dives, the
ominous and terrifying roar of their
motors drowning out all other noises
I knew what was coming and ran
into the Meiping's dining salon, div
ing under a heavy table What others
on the boat did, don't know. 1t was
every man for himself.
In an instant there came the crash
OF an exploding bomb in our super
structure. 1t shook the ship and en-
quilted me in debris I don't know
now many bombs hit us in that first
attack, but the superstructure and the
very table under which had taken
refuge collapsed.
The Meiping's skipper, with great
presence Of mind, had gotten the ship
under way for the south bank of the
river, and other Socony (StandarD
vessels were attempting to do likewise
when the attack came. I do not know
what happened in those first few min
utes aboard the Panay.
Planes Repeat Attack.
We managed to reach the south
bank. with the japanese planes stimuli
taneously repeating their attack
Bombs had set the Meiping afire and,
as the ship was laden with gasoline
and oil, was afraid she would ex-
plode.
The crew fearlessly battled the
flames, finally extinguishing them.
looked across to where the now
far-distant Panay was sinking. She
was going down bow first and seemed
to turn over as she sank into the
YanRtze's muddy waters
The tanker Meishsia also reached
shore close to us, while the Meian
was beached on the north bank, far
distant. The Japanese bombed us
again as the Meiping's crew fought
flames. How We all escaped death
is miracle. =,
Along with about 100 Chinese and
other foreigners, got ashore. Jap
anese troops lined up on the shore
Immediately questioned u and told
us to return aboard ship. The planes
then returned and dropped more
bombs and We again dashed ashore,
fleeing along railroad tracks toward
Wuhu.
Joins Marshall and Hodge.
Jim Marshall (Collier's Far Eastern
writer) and John Hodge Panay fire.
mani appeared and joined them. We
decided to make the best of it
going into Japanese-occupied terri
tory. We walked to a Chinese noun
taineer's hut, where we stayed Sum-
day night. The Chinese hut owner
appeared at nightfall, but disappeared
again before daylight into the hills,
being afraid Of the Japanese.
We decided to keep walking, hoping
to flnd assistance. We walked II miles
to TAPPING and found a foreign mis-
sion hospital, but foreigners had de-
parted. There was no food We were
seeking medical aid for our wounds.
Marshall suffered wounds in
the neck, chest, shoulder and
abdomen. Hodge and Vines also
were wounded, and all three Of
the refugees were suffering from
exposure and strain.)
We met a Japanese Army captain,
Yone Masuda, who did everything
possible. We were taken before a
higher Japanese officer, I believe q
major general, who questioned us as
to what had happened. They ar
ranged to send us to Wuhu by motor
truck. There we obtained medical
aid at the General Hospital. -
Guns Roared Nearby.
That night lay uneasily in a hos
pital bed while artillery and machine
guns roared increasingly.
Wednesday Japanese plane came
to take US to Shanghai.
In addition to the foreigners aboard
the ill-fated craft (Panay and Stand
ard Oil tankers) there probably were
800 Chinese employees of Standard and
their women and children, seeking to
escape from the fighting downriver.
What happened to them, don't know.
When I reached shore saw many
Chinese wounded and dead littering
the ground.
As we walked into TAPPING the
countryside showed the results Of
hostilities. It was practically laid
waste, with dead Chinese numerous.
Many carcasses Of animals were seen.
There also were remains of animals
the Japanese had killed for food, as
their army was living off the country
side Is much rs possible.
RESCUE SQUAD ADOPTS