CO129-579-5 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese aircraft- Hong Kong air space and other activities 31-1-1939 - 5-8-1939 — Page 97

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS (FAR EAST) LIMITED

The Director of Air Services,

HONG KONG.

Sir,

3rd February, 1939.

97

We have the honour to quote below an extract

from the Voyage Report made by the Captain of our aircraft

R.M.A. Delia G-ACWC, operating Hong Kong/Bangkok on the

31st ult.:-

"On leaving Fort Bayard the usual course of 258°

magnetic was flown. When passing Waichao (Ouai-Tchao)

Island at a height of 1000 ft. a warship of the cruiser

type was seen anchored in a bay on the South of the Island.

Another vessel, which looked like an ordinary cargo ship

battleship

painted/gray and which had been seen in the same position

for the last few weeks, was anchored half a mile West or

North West of the Island. At 0151 G.M.T. this ship was

seen to fire a gun several times. The explosions were

heard and the shells seen dropping in the water on either

side of the aircraft. The First Officer stated that he

saw one burst at our height in the air, and Supernumerary

Captain Dykes also saw a shell burst in the air on the

Starboard side. In all about 6 shots were fired. It

seems that all the shooting was done by the boat anchored

on the West or North West side of the Island."

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servants,

FOR IMPERIAL AIRWAYS (FAR EAST) LIMITED.

c.c. Commodore's Office,

(SGD.)

Hong Kong.