Japanese Warplane Shoots Down Kweilin Airliner

August 24th, 1938

August 24th, 1938

Japanese Warplane Shoots Down Kweilin Airliner
How Long Ago?

86 years, 6 months, 19 days ago

Location

Kweilin, China

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

Second Sino-Japanese War

Links & References
Tags

Japanese Warplane Shoots Down Kweilin Airliner

A Japanese warplane shot down the Kweilin, a Chinese civilian airliner, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals aboard. This incident marked a significant moment in aviation history as it was the first recorded case of a civilian airliner being targeted and attacked in flight by military forces. The attack took place during the Second Sino-Japanese War, emphasizing the intense conflict between Japan and China.

First civilian airliner shot down in history.

14 fatalities included crew and passengers.

Incident occurred during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Marked a shift in military targeting of civilians.

What Happened?

The Kweilin incident involved a Japanese military aircraft attacking a civilian airliner known as the Kweilin, which was transporting passengers over Chinese airspace. The Kweilin was a Chinese-operated airline, and on that fateful day, it was flying from Kunming to Kweilin when it came under fire from a Japanese warplane. This incident occurred within the context of the Second Sino-Japanese War, a brutal conflict that began in 1937 and was marked by widespread atrocities against civilians. The airliner, clearly a non-combatant vehicle, was shot down, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 lives, including crew and passengers. This incident shocked the international community, as it showcased the extreme measures being taken in the warfare between Japan and China.The attack revealed a troubling escalation in tactics by the Japanese military, further blurring the lines between civilian and military targets during wartime. It raised immediate questions about international laws regarding the protection of civilian aircraft during conflicts, as well as the moral implications of such an act in a rapidly escalating war. The Kweilin incident would go on to be cited in discussions surrounding aviation safety and military engagement, reinforcing the need for clearer regulations concerning civilian airspace.

Why Does it Matter?

The Kweilin incident is significant as it highlights the vulnerabilities of civilian aviation during wartime, marking a turning point in the perception of air travel safety. International reactions to the incident led to discussions about the need for stronger protections for civilian aircraft, influencing future conventions on air safety in conflicts. It serves as an early example of the complexities and moral dilemmas faced when civilian transportation intersects with military actions.

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