CO129-567-4 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 3-1-1938 - 3-5-1938 — Page 208

This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government, and should be returned to the Foreign Office if not required for official use.

209

From CHINA.

Telegram (en clair) from Mr. Blunt (Canton)

No. 1.

Do (Wireless) 4th February 1938.

4th February 1938.

R.

Addressed to British Embassy at Shanghai telegram No. 18 of February 4th.

My telegram No. 14.

Navel

There have been daily air raids since January 25th. Both Canton-Hankow and Canton-Kowloon railways have been subjected to severe bombing but damage not extensive, and military academy at Whampoa was bombed on January 30th when damage was done to British property (i.e. Parsee prayer house) and again this morning. Air raid yesterday lasted from 0800 to 2030 during which time over forty aeroplanes in continuous relays are reported to have bombed railways and Canton Kowloon highway.

2. An extensive air raid took place this morning. Many aeroplanes appeared over the city and were met with heavy fire. Numerous bombs were dropped but none on the

city itself.

Repeated to Foreign Office No. 12, Governor Hongkong

No. 11, General Officer Commanding Hongkong No. 11, Consul General Hankow No. 11, Commander-in-Chief No. 11.