793.94/15935: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 12—7:32 p.m.]
257. Four groups comprising about 110 Japanese planes today intensively and indiscriminately bombed Chungking, concentrating their main attacks on the lower main business section of the city. Casualties among the civil populace probably will number several hundred. Property damage largely confined to commercial and residential structures appears to be the heaviest sustained in attacks on Chungking since the raid of May 4, 1939. All American nationals are believed to be safe. Various buildings of the American Methodist [Page 877] Mission including a church sustained damage from the concussion of nearby bombs, a detailed report of which will be submitted later.70 Although two groups of Japanese bombers flew almost directly over the American Embassy premises, no bombs fell in the immediate vicinity thereof.
Repeated to Peiping, Hankow, Shanghai. Shanghai please repeat to Tokyo.
- Not printed.↩