793.94/9997: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 9—1:50 p.m.]
678. Recent Chinese night air raids over Shanghai are reported to have been carried out by pilots obviously more skilled than Chinese. One raider flew very low over foreign area to escape Japanese antiaircraft fire and when passing over American Country Club dipped his plane and flashed on and off his lights. There is strong suspicion this plane was piloted by one of the American aviators at Nanking. By flying over foreign area this pilot drew Japanese anti-aircraft fire and endangered lives of foreigners and Chinese noncombatants. Both Chinese and Japanese planes are flying over foreign area drawing anti-aircraft fire. This afternoon a Chinese anti-aircraft shell exploded within few feet of Consulate General injuring several Chinese. There are daily casualties in foreign area from anti-aircraft fire.
Sent to the Department, repeated to Nanking.