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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
View of main offices showing Seaplane Station on Lake. 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: circa 1921
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Media ID 19874448
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
1921 Advise Consultation Instruction Main Mission Offices Seaplane 1922
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Step back in time to the early 1920s and witness a pivotal moment in aviation history with this print of the Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan. Led by William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill AFC, AFRAeS, this esteemed mission showcased the latest British aircraft to Japanese officials and military personnel. The photograph captures a stunning view of the main offices at Seaplane Station on Lake, where Sempill and his team demonstrated their cutting-edge technology.
This historic event marked a significant turning point in Anglo-Japanese relations, as it laid the groundwork for future cooperation between the two nations' air forces. However, what transpired behind closed doors was far more complex - Sempill's subsequent activities revealed that he had been secretly sharing sensitive information with the Imperial Japanese Navy, compromising Britain's national security.
Despite being exposed by British Intelligence, Sempill was allowed to continue his public life without prosecution. This enigmatic figure remains an intriguing figure in aviation history - a pioneer who pushed boundaries but also walked a fine line between loyalty and treachery.
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