Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Mr. Walter S. Robertson to General Marshall
2234. New China News Agency releases following datelined Yenan April 19:
“According to reliable sources, United States is now busily helping Kuomintang to train two Bombing Squadrons for certain purposes. Every Squadron consists of 48 B–25 Bombers, totalling 96 Bombers in 2 Squadrons with 10 Training Planes in addition. All these planes are recently transported from America.”
Believe that as result of your apparent strong protest to Chou En-lai Communist anti-American propaganda is likely to be soft-pedaled. General Yeh stated in personal conversation with me today he deplored such attacks, that he thought Americans had made every effort to be impartial and helpful, and that he had been requested by Yenan to investigate and report on anti-American propaganda in Peiping. He further stated that he had received from Lin Piao, Communist General in Manchuria, report that 2 American planes attacking Communist positions had been shot down and body of American found among crew, with request that he make strong protest to Commissioners, Executive Headquarters. General Yeh stated he had filed the message without action as he had no confidence in truth of report, adding that he well knew American soldiers wore identification tags and no such tags had been found on body. While Yeh is always cooperative and friendly, General Sun Shih-lun, Communist Plans and Operations Officer now Acting Chief of Staff in absence of General Lo, is such an obstructionist that we have seriously considered asking General Yeh to replace him. However, we deem it expedient to await further developments before taking such action.