793.94/16264: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 25—1:55 p.m.]
544. 1. Japanese planes resumed bombardment of Chungking today. Twenty-six heavy bombers flying from northwest to southwest dropped bombs in Kiangpeh, the lower portion of the city between the Yangtze River and the Kialing River and on the south bank of the Yangtze at 11:15 a.m. Later at least 8 light bombers attacked areas in the west part of the city and the western suburbs. Damage was restricted largely to shop and residential structures of the poorer kind. There were probably 100 casualties in the city proper and Kiangpeh while at least 25 persons were killed and 32 seriously wounded on the south bank.
2. The heavy bombers followed a course immediately over the Embassy premises and the U. S. S. Tutuila and bombs fell west, north and east of them, the nearest being about 300 yards north of the Embassy and the ship. Altogether 11 bombs fell on the south bank of the Yangtze, some near the river bank (well within the Japanese designated safety zone) and others eastward as far as the first range of hills.
3. An ice plant of the Chungking Ice Company, an American firm, was damaged during the raid and losses are reported to be estimated at $1,000 United States currency. All Americans are believed safe.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Peiping, Hankow, Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.