893.00/5–1449; Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Cabot) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14—8:39 a. m.]
1648. Warfare approaching Shanghai proper with clearly audible artillery increasing in intensity during past 2 days. According AMA who maintains contact with General Hu Hsing, tang En-po’s senior staff member, nationalists have withdrawn from positions at Liuho and Taichang, which had become unconnected outposts of Nationalist resistance, to second defense line running from Lotien, Chiating through Chingpu to Pinghu on Chekiang–Kiangsu border. Communists on night may 12 made offensive stab north of Chiating to Yueh-puchen 5 kilos west of Paoshan where engaged by nationalist troops. Fighting this area still going on with mounting vigor as Communists throwing additional troops reportedly totaling 30,000 into fray and Nationalists countering with roughly equal numbers. According Hu, some evidence communist withdrawal this morning. According AMA, thrust seems to be Communist effort pinch off Paoshan and Woosung in order cut off possible Nationalist retreat from Shanghai by this route. Woosung reported by Chinese source already under range Communist artillery and another Chinese source rated B-2 states Nationalist navy starting withdraw from Whangpoo in anticipation early impassability Woosung channel.
Remarks by Admiral Kuei, general Hu and other Nationalist military authorities have led AMA and ANA15 believe that Nationalists expect eventually abandon Shanghai, retreat to south of Whangpoo by boat and by vehicle on road running along east bank of River and evacuate à la Dunkirk from banks of Yangtze which apparently idea for this purpose. Belief supported by Nationalist gun emplacement [Page 319] north of Shanghai which point southward toward city presumably to cover such retreat. If belief correct, absolutely essential Nationalists repel Communist thrust toward Paoshan as Communist success would jeopardize retreat and seriously threaten trap Nationalist forces in Shanghai. AMA believes Nationalists, barring defections, may successfully hold Communists this time with momentary stabilization situation west of Paoshan. However Communists, with superior forces, will probably probe farther south or elsewhere forcing Nationalists extend defense line until it becomes thin enough for Communists to break through in major push.
Reliably reported that Nationalist troops have evacuated Sung-kiang, about 20 miles southwest of Shanghai, and trains no longer running there. No reports of Communist activity that area, however.
Repeated Nanking 913.
- Assistant Naval Attaché.↩