CO129-579-5 Sino-Japanese War- Japanese aircraft- Hong Kong air space and other activities 31-1-1939 - 5-8-1939 — Page 98

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.