Chinese troops rushed to meet the Japanese columns advancing inland from the South China coast established a second defense line west of Tamshui and were firing poison gas shells in a desperate attempt to Check the drive, according to Domei reports from Hongkong last evening.
Naval aircraft took an active part in assisting the advancing infantry, according io communiques. Besides carrying out bombings the naval planes joined in the fighting by cooperating with the landing party, the statements said.
Bombing roads near Chinese posttions in the vicinity of Waichow, the naval craft inflicted heavy losses on a strong detachment and destroyed several trucks. Sighting a large concentration of Chinese troops at Poklo, the raiders bombed trenches, military barracks and other buildings with damaging effect.
Two steam launches, a large number of junks and a line of motor cars transporting Chinese soldiers were attacked in the vicinity of Poklo. Two companies of Chinese troops on both banks of the Tung-kiang River were virtually annihilated by aerial bombardments, the communique asserted.
Fortresses and bridges near Tseng-cheng and Wangkitow were demolished and 300 Chinese were wiped cut. Five trains and a large number of freight cars were bombed (Continued on page 8)
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