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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
British and Japanese Officers in charge of Photographic Section taking a well earned rest. William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill AFC, AFRAeS (1893-1965) was a Scottish peer and record-breaking air pioneer who was later shown to have passed secret information to the Imperial Japanese military before the Second World War. In 1921, Sempill led an official military mission to Japan that showcased the latest British aircraft. In subsequent years he continued to aid the Imperial Japanese Navy in developing its Navy Air Service and began giving military secrets to the Japanese. Although his activities were uncovered by British Intelligence, Sempill was not prosecuted for spying and allowed to continue in public life. Date: 1920s
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Media ID 19874594
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/ Mary Evans
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Relaxation in the Orient: A Moment of Leisure for British and Japanese Officers, 1920s. This photograph captures a rare moment of respite for the officers in charge of the Photographic Section during the Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan. Led by William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill AFC, AFRAeS (1893-1965), this historic mission aimed to showcase the latest British aircraft to their Japanese counterparts in 1921. What began as a diplomatic endeavor would ultimately lead to a complex web of relationships between Sempill and the Imperial Japanese Navy, with far-reaching consequences.
As seen here, amidst the bustling streets of Japan, these officers have momentarily put aside their duties to enjoy each other's company. The camaraderie is palpable as they share a laugh and take a break from their work. Little did they know that one among them was secretly passing on valuable military secrets to his new friends across the Pacific.
This poignant image serves as a reminder that even in times of diplomacy and friendship, there can be hidden agendas at play. Today, it stands as an intriguing artifact from an era marked by shifting global politics and emerging international relations.
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