Hsuchow, May 15.
A fleet of 54 Japanese' aeroplanes Jaivided into several squadrons, bombed Hsuchow throughout yester~ lay.
More than 280 incendiary bombs: were dropped on the city, destroying lover 3,000 houses. Several fires were feaused, and burnt so fiercely, it was of until Jate in the evening that they were brought under control.
'Bombs were also dropped on the: French Catholic Church here. More than ten houses within the Mission. Jcompound were demolished, while portion of the Church itself' was also destroyed. Nine civilians, including Jo child, taking refuge in the Church were killed.
'The Hsuchow Middle School, the [Chengshan Normal School," the Hsuchow Girls' Normal School, and the Hsuchow Mass Education Institute were also bombed and destroyed.
Heavy casualties were inflicted. on the civilian population. Investigation fof the exact number of killed and wounded has not yet been completed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.