FO371-46258 — Page 205

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AIR

MINISTRY

From Air Commodore D. Macfadyen, C.B.E.

D of POLICY (A.S) 393.

AIR MINISTRY,

KING CHARLES STREET,

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185

Dear Kitson.

21st November 1945

P10308

WHITEHALL, S.W.1.

26 NOV

1945

flag A)

fway fat are of me del 1553, With reference to our official letter C.27627/S.6. of the 19th November and our telephone conversation last evening regarding the incident at Samar, Hainan Island, I am sending to you herewith a copy of a personal signal from the Air Commander-in-Chief, S.E.Asia to the Vice Chief of the Air Staff which gives the report of the captain of the flying boat concerned.

I do not think that our official letter quite made the point regarding our feelings on the placing of a Japanese armed guard on the aircraft and its crew during the period of its detention. We feel somewhat strongly that the indignity to which R.A.F. personnel were subjected should not be allowed to pass unnoticed, and we hope that the Foreign Office will agree with this view.

We are,

of course, unaware of local conditions in Hainan Island which it is possible might to some extent mitigate the offensiveness of such action on the part of the local Chinese Commander.

We should be grateful therefore if you would be good enough to give further consideration as to the course of action to be adopted in this matter. We would suggest that the Ambassador be informed that, according to the pilot's report, Japanese troops were included in the guard set upon the aircraft, and that he be requested to make appropriate representations on this score to the Chinese authorities.

Perhaps you would be good enough to let me know by telephone what action the Foreign Office propose to take.

G.V. Kitson, Esq.,

деще

yours seusinely

Far Eastern Department,

Foreign Office.

JMarsadyen.

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