Though a Japanese official spokesman stated yesterday that the majority of the Chinese government divisions facing the Japanese were Central troops, it was learned last night that no more than two or three Central divisions were in the front lines, and several more in reserve, while the majority of the front)line Chinese forces are from provincial divisions drafted into this area.
The fighting round Lotien on Tuesday night resulted in very heavy losses to the Chinese, at least one thousand wounded being brought into the French Concession by charitable organizations, It is unknown how many were dealt with by the regular Chinese Medical Corps, and the Japanese losses, although believed to be heavy, are also unknown, A Japanese military spokesman yesterday stated that the Chinese had only poor artillery, mostly of low calibre. From independent sources it was learned yesterday, however, that the Chinese have plenty of artillery in and behind the Lotien sector and the artillery seemed to be good.
In addition to the shelling round the perimeter of Hongkew and Yangtszepoo which caused a considerable amount of damage in the Settlement, the fence of the lower Standard Oil Installation on the Whangpoo was damaged by Japanese shell-fire when. a Japanese cruiser opened up at short range against a sniper, firing from near the installation, The damage was not serious.
On Wu Chuan Road, at Wang-chia shih village and the paddy fields near chy, the two forces went back and forth in their attacks and counter-attacks, By daybreak the Japanese began to weaken, and by eight o'clock yesterday morning the vicinity of the Kiangwan Civic Centre was again cleared of Japanese forces, the communique said.
Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, the Chinese continued their push until they reached the Military Road, where the enemy forces started from the previous evening.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.