793.022/5–2054: Telegram
No. 194
The Ambassador in the Republic of
China (Rankin) to the Department of
State1
633. Geneva’s 2 repeated Department Secto 246.2 Factual summary of developments reported by MAAG, … and to Embassy Attachés by Chinese Minister of National Defense follows:
Chinese Communists numbering about one regiment occupied group of small islands (Kin-Men, Tien-Tao, Tou-Men, Shih-Tan) lying between Ta-Chen and U–Shan without opposition (no regular troops on any of these islands) night of May 15 and have established antiaircraft positions. A few other small Nationalist-held islands farther south in same area have been under Communist artillery fire. Yu-Shan now isolated and Nationalist troops may be [Page 426] evacuated. Nationalist guerrilla dependents to be evacuated to TaChen from all smaller outlying islands in area.
Beginning about May 10, built-up Communist military forces and increased military activity reported on mainland and Communist held islands adjacent to Ta-Chen—Yu-Shan, notably at Hai-Men, Sung-Men, and Yu-Huan. Large concentrations Communist naval craft reported in same area at Hai-Men and San-Men Key. Farther north, Communist plans reported active in Chou-Shan Island group.
Three Nationalist naval vessels engaged various Communist craft in area May 15 and 16 with result one Communist ship sunk, four damaged while two Nationalist destroyer escorts damaged and forced return to Formosa for repairs with 7 men wounded.
Chinese Air Force in public releases which have been officially confirmed to our Air Attaché relates following action in same general area: May 11—four CAF P–47s routed four Communist MIGs damaging one of latter; May 15—two CAF piston planes attacked and routed four MIGs; May 18—two CAF piston planes fought two MIGs damaging one of latter; May 18—undisclosed number of CAF piston planes bombed and sank 1500-ton Communist vessel, damaged and possibly sank 800-ton vessel, and strafed a number of others. End reported factual summary.
Comment: Naval action described paragraph 3 above supplied our Naval Attaché by Chinese Ministry National Defense and Navy Headquarters is at considerable variance with public press releases which stated May 16—seven Communist craft damaged and routed and May 17—lone Nationalist vessel engaged 10 Communist ships, sinking one, severely damaging seven others without damage or injury to Nationalist ships or personnel. Seems reasonable assume Chinese Air Force press releases may be equally exaggerated.
While Nationalist claims of Communist build-up and own successes in air and at sea probably exaggerated, nevertheless seems to be no question past few weeks have witnessed definite increase in Communist military activity along Chekiang coast from Lin-Hai to Wen-Chow, rendering Communists capable of launching amphibious assault againt Ta-Chen with air support. Generally agreed Communist purpose is:
- (a)
- Isolate and possibly assault Ta-Chen, which is thorn in Communist side and will be much more difficult to support and supply with Communists in control of neighboring islands, and
- (b)
- Test US reaction to aggressive moves against offshore islands. Subsidiary purpose is probably to dampen and detract from festivities attending inauguration President May 20.
For extended discussion of significance of Ta-Chen, defensive situation, and Chinese interest in US commitment to include Ta-Chen [Page 427] within US defense perimeter, see inter alia Embassy despatch 46 July 24, 19533 and Embassy telegram 614 May 11, 1954.
- Also sent to Geneva.↩
- Telegram 2 to Taipei, May 18, requested a summary and appraisal of recent military developments along the east China coast. (793.00/5–1854)↩
- See footnote 1, Document 127.↩