EMW/IP/Man.J/297.
Sir,
Copies to: Air Superintendent,
98
London.
Manager, Far East Area,
at Hanoi.
Commodore's Office, Hong
Kong.
Director of Air Services,
Hong Kong.
R.A.F. Liaison Officer,
Hong Kong.
3rd February, 1939.
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your
letter of today's date advising us not to fly our aircraft
within 15 miles of Waichao Island, and further, to maintain
an altitude of under 500 metres while in that vicinity.
You will have received our letter EMW/IP/Man.J/266
of the 2nd inst. in which we advised you that our aircraft
will follow a course passing approximately 20 miles South
of Waichao whenever practicable, but with reference to the
suggested maximum altitude of 500 metres we would advise
as follows:-
The height at which our aircraft operate is
governed by several factors, one of the more important being
prevailing meteorological conditions. Thus during the
North East monsoon, i.e. until next April, our aircraft
flying between Fort Bayard and Hanoi remain at a comparative-
ly low altitude, i.e. 1000 ft. as on the 31st ult., whereas
when proceeding from Hanoi to Fort Bayard their altitude
may be between 10000 16000 ft. where they will obtain
maximum advantage of the prevailing Westerly winds
encountered at those heights.
Whilst we are prepared to take any reasonable
measures in order to avoid a repetition of the incidents
of 21st February 1938 and 31st January, 1939, we regret at
the time of writing it is not practicable for us to accede
H.I.J.M's Consul General,
HONG KONG.