Direct hits were scored on three Japanese warships when six Chinese bombers in two flights. escorted by five Chinese pursuit planes, Japanese warships on the Yangtze in the vicinity of Matung this morning. according to a communique issued by the Chinese Aviation Headquarters.
One of these warships, it is said, was sunk, while the otirer two were set on fire.
Probably due to the severe Chinese aerial bombardments of the past few days, the communique adds, the Chinese pilots sighted few Japanese warships between Matung and Anking. Most of the Japanese war vessels are said to have withdrawn below Matung.
Sighting four Japanese warships near Matung, the Chinese statement. claims, the first flight of Chinese bombers concentrated on bombing the. largest of the group, while the second ight bombed the remaining three.
The vessel singled out for attack by the first flight is said to have "sank within five minutes" after being hit, The Chinese pursuit machines are stated to have circled over the area after the departure of the bombers.
Of the three gunboats bombed by the second group, direct hits are said to have been made on two, which "threw up dense columns QÜ smoke and fin Later in the morning another squadron of Chinese bombers took off, but was unable to reach Matung because of a heavy downpour, In the afternoon, however, more bombers hopped off for Matung, but the results of their raid cannot as yet Weak Economic Condi be ascertained.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.