Chinese and Japanese Planes Meet in Combat, But Claims Regarding Losses Conflict greatest aerial combat in the entire course of the Sino-Japanese hostilities occurred over Hankow on Feb. 18 when fleet of Japanese aeroplanes appeared and was opposed by the freshly-trained Chines air force with varying success, although foreign observers te ity to the severity of the fighting.
According to Chinese reports, 45 Japanese aeroplanes attacked the city and were met by 30 hinese pursuit planes, of Soviet manufacture, and it is stated from Hankow that 10 Japanese pursuit planes and two heavy bombers were shot down.
On the other hand, the Japanese spokesman in Shanghai yesterday declared that 30 Chinese planes were shot down by the Japanese. although the declined to reveal Japanese losses, This number, he claimed, was shot down in two engagements. hankow, Feb, 19, 'A. final check by the local Chinese authorities on the results of the!
Japanese air-raids around Mankow yesterday shows that 12 Japanese Jacroplanes, comprising 10" pursuit planes and two heavy bombers, were shot down and two Japanese ' pilots Jeaptured alive.
The Chinese losses are given us three machines destroyed, one dam-Jaged and two missing, with two Chinese pilots Killed and one wounded, The missing planes, which are be: Hieved to have made forced landings the countryside, have not yet been located, One' of the two pilots killed was squadron leader Li Kwel-tang, a Chinese "Ace."
Freshly-trained Chinese pilots par+ took in yesterday's alr-raids, using new Soviet pursuit biplanes. which went into action for the first time China, The pilots expressed satisfaction with the new machines, Jdcelaring that they were far superior to the Russian pursuit monoplanes: which they had hitherto used, Altogether 30 Chinese" pursuit planes went up to engage in combat Jwhen it was learned shat 27 Japanese fair-raiders, comprising 15. pursuit machines and 12 bombers were on their wai During the attack, however, 15) additional Japanese pursuit planes suddenly appeared. As a result, there ensued a most terrific fight, which was described as the greatest aerial combat so far witnessed in the Sino-Japantse hostilities.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.