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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
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Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan
Gloster Sparrowhawk getting off Turret. 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 19874482
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
1921 Advise Consultation Forbes Sempill Francis Instruction Mission Turret 1922 Sparrow Hawk
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Step back in time to 1921 and witness the historic Sempill British Aviation Mission to Japan, led by the enigmatic William Francis Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill. This remarkable photograph captures a Gloster Sparrowhawk getting off its turret, showcasing the cutting-edge British aircraft that was part of the mission's impressive display. The Sempill Mission aimed to introduce Japan to the latest advancements in aviation technology, but little did anyone know that Lord Sempill would go on to secretly share sensitive military information with the Imperial Japanese Navy.
As a record-breaking air pioneer and Scottish peer, Lord Sempill's dual role as both ambassador and spy has left historians fascinated by his complex legacy. Despite being exposed for passing secrets to Japan before World War II, he was allowed to continue his public life without prosecution. This intriguing image serves as a poignant reminder of the blurred lines between diplomacy and espionage during this pivotal era in history.
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