FO371-23523 — Page 209

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Enca

MESSAGE 5728

F

From

C.in C. China.

P/L

14 JUN 1939

IN

161

Date 10.6.39.

Rec'd 2025

Addressed N.1.0. Shanghai, repeated H.M. Ships KENT,

DORSETSHIRE, Governor Hong Kong, Commodore

Malaya, Admiralty, British Ambassador Tokyo.

же

F5497

485,

Request you will convey the following

On the

We asege de Admiral Oikawa. A recent Domei report

contained the allegation that a British Cruiser had

fired at a Japanese passenger aircraft off Hong Kong

at 1003 Hong Kong time on 7th June. I have held

an investigation and the facts are as follows.

Jay in question H.M. Ships KENT And DORSETSFIRE were

carrying out H.A. practices in the exercise area off Hong

C.in C. Kong which was communicated to the Japanese/in 1937 and

H.M.S. FENT opened fire in a southerly direction at the

time stated. The firing was carried out at a drogue

target with a second marking aircraft in attendance.

aircraft was sighted at least five miles away from the

marking aircraft and well clear of the line of fire.

aircraft was so far distant that it was not identified, no

question of its fouling the range ever arose, and no

bursts can have been anywhere in its vicinity. H.M.S.

DORSETSHIRE was not involved. I presume that the

An

The

unidentified aircraft was the Japanese passenger aircraft

in question, and I forward this statement of the

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