CO129-567-4 Traffic of arms to China and Japanese air-raids on Kowloon-Canton railway 3-1-1938 - 3-5-1938 — Page 69

[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.]

69

From:

CHINA

Decypher.

Sir A. Clark Kerr (Hankow)

19th April 1938.

W/T

19th April 1938.

R.

9.30 a.m

19th April 1938.

No.7 Tour.

IMUAMNTmi normamm

Following from Air Attaché, Hankow begins:

Reliable information indicates that Chinese propose bombing

aerodromes and carriers in vicinity of Hongkong from which air-

craft attacking Hongkong-Canton and Canton-Hankow railway are

based. Two squadrons of gladiators have proceeded to Canton and

certain bomber units under orders for this purpose. A Soviet

officer is being placed in charge of operations but all units

are Chinese. Effective operation of railway becomes increasingly

difficult owing to continual bombing. Apart from desire to

reduce air action against railway I believe additional factor is protest from Canton at recent withdrawal of air units which

has left Kuangtung without air defence. Ends.

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram Tour series No.7.

Repeated to mbassy Shanghai Tour series No. 8, Air Ministry,

Air Liaison officer Hongkong, Royal Air Force Headquarters Far

Bast.