In Manchoukuo Bombed by, Russians; Big Air Battle Tokyo, June 23.
Forty-nine Soviet planes are reported to have been shot down yesterday during an air combat with Japanese machines, A Kwantung Army communique issued at 1220 pin. today states that 150 Soviet aeroplanes crossed ger the Manchoukuo border and appeared over: Kanjurmiao, on the north -shore of Lake Buirnor, at 4 pin. on Thursday.
Eighteen Japanese machines, it continues, immediately took off and shot down 49 of these planes, losing five in the engagement.
Since the Nomonhan incident, the communique says, Outer Mongol and Soviet planes have been persistent in provoking the Manchoukuo and Japanese forces.
On June 19, it adds, over a dozen Soviet machines repeatedly crossed the border and bombed Haronalshal, Kanjurmiao, Amkulo and Khalhamiayo, all in Manchoukuo territory north of Lake Buirnor, Since then, it declares, (Manchoukuo and Japanese forces have been standing by to watch the movements of the Soviet and Outer Mopgol forces.
"The Manchoukuo Government filed a protest by wireless with the Government of Outer Mongolia on June 19 against the repeated crossing of the border and continued provocations by Outer Mongol forces, according to a Japanese report from Hsinking, The protest is reported to "warn the Outer Mongol Government that. Manchoukuo is prepared to repulse all Outer Mongolian forces beyond the border, should the latter continue in', their—provocations."—Reuter.
Commenting on Soviet incursions into Manchoukuo territory, the Japanese army spokesman stated Yesterday that these were organized in an effort to divert Japanese attention from the conflict in China, to try -and divert Japanese effectives from China to Mancnoukuo and to case the present troubled situation in Outer Mongolia, where there was much discontent among the inhabitants, Reporting on the engagement, the Army spokesman pointed out that 180 Soviet ground attack planes, flying in formation, crossed the Western Manchoukuo border at 4 p.m. on Thursday and appeared over Kanjurmal. Eighteen Japanese planes arose to give combat, he went on, and in the ensuing engagement 49 Soviet planes were shot down.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.