Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, China and Japan, Volume XIV, Part 1

793.00/7–2253: Telegram

No. 125
The Ambassador in the Republic of China (Rankin) to the Department of State

top secret

Taipei, July 22, 1953—3 p.m.

49. Reference Embassy telegrams 37¹ and 39,² army-air attaché telegram AFC–35–53 to Department Army G–2 and Air Force Intelligence.³ Subsequent reports including reference joint attaché telegram reveal Chinese Nationalist commander in Tungshan raid requested CAF air strikes over island and mainland approaches to make best of rapidly deteriorating situation and cover withdrawal his forces. Chinese Communists crossed narrow channel from mainland in force and compelled Nationalists retreat southward. Time apparently did not permit awaiting reply to request that CINCPAC approve use of CAF as above. Air strikes carried out included effective napalm attack on Chinese Communist truck convoy approaching Tungshan on mainland. MAAG considers this action tactically sound but out of order since undertaken prior to any clearance from CINCPAC.

General Chou, Chinese Chief of Staff, admitted air attacks occurred and explained to MAAG and CINCPAC that violation of Chinese Government commitment was unintentional and gave assurances that steps would be taken to see that it does not happen again.⁴

Comment: Experience this raid suggests impracticability obtaining US clearance for special offensive action during actual raid or engagement. If commitment to have practical meaning clearance should be obtained during final planning stages taking into account various contingencies which might result from enemy retaliation. If air offensive then denied compensatory factors could be planned in advance so as prevent excessive casualties.

Rankin

1. Telegram 37 from Taipei, July 17, reported that a Nationalist guerrilla commander who had landed in a raid on Tungshan Island on July 16 had requested air attacks against a Communist troop build-up on the mainland opposite the island and against any attempt by the Communist troops to wade across the narrow strait at low tide. MAAG had advised using aircraft only to cover the Nationalists’ planned withdrawal from Tungshan but had referred the question to CINCPAC. (793.00/7–1753)
2. Telegram 39 from Taipei, July 18, reported that the Nationalist forces had withdrawn from Tungshan without the use of air attacks. (793.00/7–1853)
3. Not printed.
4. MacDonald’s report of his conversations with Chow, sent to CINCPAC in telegram 180900Z (MG 5012), July 18, and related documentation are in JCS records, CCS 092 Asia (6–25–48) Sec. 43.