Hankow, Aug. 18.
two Japanese aeroplanes were shot down today in an igerial combat be-(ween Chinese and Japanese aeroplanes, below Hankow, while out of 2 Japanese bombers,' which raided Hengyang aerodrome, in south Hunat this morning, four more were destroy: el, uceording to. reports reaching Chinese military headquarters, here, The Chinese lost one pursuit plane, was stated, Upon receipt of information that Japanese aeroplanes were reconnoltrug over and bombing Chinese positions In. the vicinity of Huangshilkong, below Hankow, Chinese pursuit craft' were stated to have taken off to intercept the Japanese machines, In the ensuing aerial combat, the reports stated, two Japanese pianos Were hit—one burst into flames in mid-air, while the other crashed into the Yangtse River.
Shortly before noon today, 27 Japan~ ow bombers were sighted heading fo: south Hunan, to raid the Hengyang aerodrome, Chinese pursuit machines, the reports continued, Immediately took off engage the raider In the furious aerial battle above Hengyang, which followed, the Chinese dispatch stated, four' Japanese bombers were shot down, while the Chinese lost one pursuit plane.
Two bombs were said to have lurided inside Hengyang city, resulting many casualties.
Another Japanese raid, by 18 lane, was reported to have been carried out today on the aerodrome Paoching, west of Hengyang, in West 'Hunan' Province.
Chinese reports claimed, however, that the aerodrome was empty at the time of the aerial attack—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.