From C.in C. China.
P/1.
MESSAGE
IN
Date 10.6.39.
Rec'd 2025
Addressed K.L.0. Shanghai, repeated H.M. Ships KENT,
DORSETSHIRE, Governor Hong Kong, Commodore
Maleya, Admiralty, British Ambassador Tokyo.
4-85.
Request you will convey the following
message to Admiral Oikawa. A recent Domei report
contained the allegation that a British Cruiser had
fired at a Japanese passenger aircraft off Hong Kong
at 1003 Hong Kong time on 7th June. I have held
on investigation and the facts are as follows. On the
day in question H.M. Ships KENT And DORSETSHIRE were
carrying out H.A. practices in the exercise area off Hong
C.in C. Kong which was communicated to the Japanese/in 1937 and
H.M.S. FANT opened fire in a southerly direction at the
time stated. The firing was carried out at a drogue
target with a second marking aircraft in attendance.
aircraft was sighted at least five miles away from the
marking aircraft and well clear of the line of fire. The
aircraft was so far distant that it was not identified, no
question of its fouling the range ever arose, and no
bursts can have been anywhere in its vicinity. H.M.S.
DORSETSHIRE was not involved. I presume that the
An
unidentified aircraft was the Japanese passenger aircraft
in question, and I forward this statement of the
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