LA
P
F
CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
D. 5 June, 1967. R. 5 ft
11
FLASH
CONFIDENTIAL
NO.
777
0955Z
ATION 215
10
عال
29613
ཎྞཱ
Addressed to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.) Repeated
17
Peking No.31 2
P.A. Singapore No. 163 (S. of S. please pass both)
My telegram No. 728.-173
Hong Kong Disturbances.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No. 63
- 5 JUN170/
HWAY/D
H.M.S. BULWARK today began 4-day exercise in commando operations within our waters on the eastern side of the Colony.”
2.
Sioux helicopter took off from BULWARK at about 11.30 hours northwards and then by mistake turned east instead of turning west into the exercise area. It flew over Mirs point in Chinese territory and then turned north-east for several miles into Bias Bay until the error was realised. It then turned south, flying over a Chinese island, to Ning Shan, When crossing the island the pilot saw a company of Chinese troops aiming a gun at his aircraft. He does not know if they were fired on.
34
A separate flight of four Wessex helicopters following (but not in company with) the Sioux taking off about ten minutes later, made the same initial navigational error, but turned back on reaching the vicinity of Mirs point. One aircraft may, have just overflown Chinese territory, the other three probably did not. They probably did, however, overfly Chinese waters when withdrawing to the south-east.
4.
Above is substance of first report and may require amendment on further investigation. But there seems no doubt that an accidental overflight of Chinese territory has occurred.
5.
In present circumstances it seems to me that an immediate apology should be offered to the C.P.G., preferably, for the sake of speed, in London. It could be said that the matter is under further investigation.
6.
Steps have been taken to minimise risks of further infringements, but if the C.P.G. show signs of making a considerable issue out of this incident, it may be necessary to cancel remainder of exercise at short notice.
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CONFIDENTIAL
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