740.0011 Pacific War/704: Telegram
The Consul General at Hong Kong (Southard) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 8—5:35 a.m.]
534. About 15 Japanese bombers, said to be from Canton, bombed the Hong Kong airport at Kaitak this morning at about 7:50 and severely damaged it. British antiaircraft fire apparently not successful. Casualties apparently light and no Americans reported injured so far. Authorities are vague about number of Japanese troops on the frontier but attack from that source is anticipated. This office continuing business as usual although there is much restricted movements of persons and traffic throughout the colony.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking.