Chinese and Japanese Planes Meet in Combat, But Claims Regarding Losses Conflict HE greatest aerie] combat in ihe entire course of the Sino-
Japanese hostilities occurred over Hankow on Friday when a fleet of nese aeroplanes appeared and was opposed by the fresh], -trained Chinese air force with varying success, although foreign observers testify to the severity of the fighting.
According to Chinese reports, 45 Japanese aeroplanes attacked the city and were met by 30 Chinese pursuit planes, of Soviet manufacture, and it is stated from Hankow that 10 Japanese pursuit planes and two heavy bombers were shot down.
On the other hand, the Japanese spokesman in Shanghai yesterday declared that 20 Chinese planes were shot down by the Japanese, although he declined to reveal Japanese losses, This number, he claimed, was shot down in two engagements.
Hankow, Feb. 19, 'A final check by the local Chinese authorities on the results of the Japanese air-raids around Hankow yesterday shows that 12 Japanese aeroplanes, comprising 10 pursuit planes and two hi bombers, were shot down and two Japanese pilots took in yesterday's air-raids, using new Soviet pursuit biplanes, which went into action for the first time in China, The pilots expressed satisfaction with the new machines, declaring that they were far superior to the Russian pursuit monoplanes which they had hitherto used, captured alive.
The Chinese losses are given as three machines destroyed, one damaged and two missing, with two Eh nese pilots killed and one wounded, he missing planes, which are believed to have made forced landings in the countryside, have not yet been located. One of the two pilots killed was squadron leader Li Kwei-tang, a Chinese "Ace."
Freshly-trained Chinese pilots par-
Altogether 30 Chinese pursuit planes went up to engage in combat when it was learned that 27 Japanese air-raiders, comprising 15 pursuit machines and 12 bombers were on their way, During the attack, however, 15 additional Japanese pursuit planes suddenly appeared. As a result, there ensued a most terrific fight, which was described as the greatest aerial combat so far witnessed in the Sino-Japanese hostilities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.