[Amrit1]

I think the following citation is very telling. BOAC was a civilian carrier but there is no indignation or perception that attacks on civilian aircraft was wrong. Rather, by highlighting the crew's courage the citation implies that it was accepted that civilian aircraft would be attacked.

29th October, 1943.
The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the undermentioned appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

To be an Additional Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:—
Gilbert Rae, Captain of Aircraft, British Overseas Airways Corporation.

To be an Additional Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:—
James Stanley Wood Payne, Radio Officer, British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Captain Rae and Mr. Payne have shown courage of a high order over an extended period in flying unarmed aircraft on. the civil war-time air service between the United Kingdom and Stockholm.

When Captain Rae was attacked over enemy occupied territory his aircraft was damaged by cannon fire and the undercarriage hydraulic system was put out of action. By the most skilful evasive tactics and by exceptional coolness in a most hazardous situation he was able to avoid further damage, to shake off his assailant and eventually to make a forced-landing in Sweden with the undercarriage retracted. The forcedlanding was made with such skill that comparatively little damage was done to the aircraft.

A few days later Captain Rae was again attacked by two German aircraft but by his skill and coolness he was able to shake off His assailants and land safely.

On a third occasion, half-way across the North Sea with a very heavy load, one of his engines failed and it was only due to superb airmanship that he managed to get back to base.

On each of these occasions Mr. Payne has been the Radio Officer of the aircraft. He has cheerfully and readily accepted the same risks as his pilot. His skill as a Radio Officer and his coolness in the face of extreme danger have been outstanding.

However, what is interesting is the frequent advertisement of civilian air transport in the national newspapers which implies that there may have been some accord to limit attacks by the parties.