893.248/253: Telegram
The Consul General at Rangoon (Brady) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 22—3:07 a.m.]
45. Reference Department’s telegram No. 28 of November 12 [13], 5 p.m. Following from Chennault for Currie paraphrased:
Competent Chinese pilots estimated at 200 bombardment and 150 pursuit. For operation of American planes all of these would require some transition and unit training. If these pilots were completely relieved from commission aeronautical affairs and placed same status as American volunteer units except in matter of pay, I believe I could organize, train and operate effective groups. Pay of these pilots should not be equal to that of Americans but should be raised. As an experiment I am willing to undertake one group immediately, P–48 planes to be used as they arrive. Thirty American staff officers at least would be urgently required for this group together with some administrative and technical personnel. The transition and the unit training facilities are available and adequate in Burma. The number of combat machines the Chinese have is so small as to be negligible and suitable bombers number only about 20.