793.94/16588
The Ambassador in China (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 24.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s telegram no. 78, April 9, 3 p.m.,30 requesting details in regard to an aerial encounter which took place between Japanese and Chinese planes over and near Chengtu, Szechuan, on March 14, 1941, and to submit herewith a copy of a memorandum30 on this subject prepared by Major F. J. McQuillen, U. S. M. C., Assistant Naval Attaché to this Mission.
Major McQuillen’s memorandum is believed to supply a full and reliable account of the aerial encounter in question. Although informed Chinese are naturally reticent to disclose the details or even talk about this apparent aerial debacle, yet enough has been said by reliable Chinese informants during the past two weeks to indicate that Chinese aviation suffered a decisive defeat at Chengtu. For example, on April 2, 1941, the Director of the Department of American Affairs of the Foreign Office, in a casual conversation with an officer of the Embassy expressed the hope that the United States would see fit to send a number of up-to-date planes to China in the near future, remarking in this connection that the Russian-type planes recently supplied to China had proved to be of inferior quality and performance in the recent air battle at Chengtu when a disproportionate number of Chinese planes had been lost and some of China’s best pilots killed.
It would appear from Major McQuillen’s memorandum and from such other information as has recently reached the Embassy that the Chinese defeat at Chengtu may be attributed in the main 1) to the inferior performance of the Russian-type planes, especially of machine guns; and 2) to the inadequate training and lack of aptitude on the part of the average Chinese combat pilot.
Captain Horace Greeley, U. S. A., Assistant Military Attaché for Air, is now in Chengtu. In the event that Captain Greeley is able to [Page 621] obtain additional details, the Embassy will expect to communicate them to the Department at the first available opportunity.31
Respectfully yours,