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8.
But, secondly, it will also be necessary to secure that a warship carrying out these humanitarian tasks is not herself attacked by the forces on the bank, so leading to a fresh incident. To meet this, I suggest that prior, notifi- cation of our intentions should be given to the Communist authorities in Shanghai, explaining their clear justification and asking them to agree that in such circumstances their forces will not molest our ships.
9.
The question also arises of retaliation against the Nationalist aircraft. The Commander-in-Chief has now issued orders that H. M. Ships on Yangtse Patrol should fire at aircraft in the following circumstances:-
(a) for self-defence;
(b)
at aircraft which have attacked British or other neutral merchant vessels whether inside or outside territorial waters.
He has been informed that this point is also being laid before Ministers, but I would ask my colleagues to endorse this order.
Admiralty, S. W. 1.
22ND JUNE, 1949.
H.
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