CO129-579-12 Sino-Japanese War- bombing of railway line within leased territories (Shamchun Incident) 21-2-1939 - 17-3-1939 — Page 111

SECRET CIPHER

TELEGRAM.

SECRET.

From: G.0.C. Hong Kong.

To

The War Office.

IMMEDIATE.

Desp.2055 21.2.39. Recd. 1410 21.2.39.

4871 Cipher 21/2.

FIRST OF THREE

PARTS.

Map reference Sham Chun river 1/20,000.

On 21/2 at about 0945 hours 9 Japanese twin engined

monoplane bombers (probably type 96) flying from direction of West

by North bombed Sham Chun Hu 1483 in Chinese territory: they then

circled round over British territory (?going) over top of crest of

hill 1380. One flight of 3 planes then bombed customs wireless

station about 300 yards inside Chinese territory. The attack

was made from South, machines thus crossing British territory in

run up. Six bombs were dropped from a height of about 500 feet on

customs station.

Another flight attacked British railway station at 1481

about 200 yards inside frontier from South West. This attack

was made by two machines only. Four bombs were dropped inside

British territor. Two due west of railway station between

railway and river about 400 yards inside frontier and two on

railway about 200 yards inside.

All machines were attacking at not more than 500 feet.

All bombs were it is thought about 60 kilos.

Casualties in British territory from this bombing were as far as

can be ascertained at present one Sikh policeman and six Chinese

killed, wounded not known。 One of these two (?machines) circled

again and opened machine gunfire on British railway station killing

as far as is known two Chinese.

C.4. (Telegrams).

Copies to:-

S. of S. C.I.G.S. D.C.I.G.S. P.U.S.

D.M.O. & I.

D.D.M.O.

D.D.M.I.

Q.M.G.13.

Mr. Howe (F.0.).

M.0.1A. 2.2A. Cdr.Loly (Admiralty).

M.1.2. 20.

D.P.R.

Sqdn.Ldr.Pelly (A.M.).

Mr. Gent (Colonial Office),