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The presentation focused on a rare and historically important 1939 airmail cover sent from Tokyo to Bombay that was detained following the Dardanus Incident, involving the Imperial Airways feeder flight operating on the Hong Kong–Bangkok sector of the Empire Air Mail Service. Mr. Khaitan explained how the aircraft was attacked by Japanese fighter aircraft near Weichow Island on 8 November 1939, forcing an emergency landing and resulting in the detention of the crew, passengers, and mail. The cover discussed is the only known recorded example of Indian-bound mail detained due to this incident, making it a unique survivor of wartime disruption.
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The talk traced the detailed journey of the cover—from its posting in Tokyo and transit through Japan and China to Hong Kong, followed by its release and onward transmission via the Empire Route and Tata Air Lines to Bombay. Particular emphasis was placed on the postal consequences of the incident, including delays, routing changes, and wartime civilian censorship. The presentation highlighted the use of
Image courtesy Ronald Wong, www.ronaldtkwong.com the extremely rare PASIND 5 Indian Civilian Censorship cachet, contributing valuable insights toward resolving longstanding questions about its origin and usage. |