Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, East Asia and the Pacific, Volume VI

Executive Secretariat Files: NSC 37 Series

Memorandum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Johnson)

top secret

Washington, 28 July 1950.

Subject: Photo Reconnaissance of Certain Portions of the China Coast.

1. In view of the operational committments of the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Korea and in the Taiwan area, it is considered vital that we obtain advance knowledge of Communist intentions to launch an amphibious assault against Taiwan. Existing sources of information do not ensure that we will obtain the advance knowledge required to defeat such an attack.

2. Current intelligence indicates that sufficient build-up of troops and water lift now exist on the China coast for launching an invasion of Taiwan. Estimates of Chinese Communist air strength indicate that moderate air support would be available for an assault. It is doubtful, however, that information of an imminent attack may be obtained except through photographic reconnaissance.

3. It is recommended that the necessary political clearance be obtained and that the Joint Chiefs of Staff be authorized to direct the Commander in Chief, Far East, to conduct periodic photographic reconnaissance flights over the coastal area of China south of the 32nd parallel of latitude with a view to determining the imminence of any attack that may be launched against Formosa.¹

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

A. C. Davis

Rear Admiral, USN
Director, The Joint Staff

1. In a memorandum dated July 31, not printed, the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council indicated that this memorandum by the Joint Chiefs of Staff had been referred by the President to the National Security Council and the Secretary of the Treasury for consideration and recommendation on an urgent basis.

   On July 29, Secretary of Defense Johnson informed Mr. Acheson that he was authorizing periodic photographic reconnaissance over the coast of China south of the 32nd parallel. He stated that Mr. Rusk, in discussions with Defense Department officials, had indicated that the Department of State had no desire to impose restrictions on such reconnaissance flights and he asked Mr. Acheson’s confirmation of this position.

   On July 30, the following message was sent to General MacArthur by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in telegram JCS 87501:

   “You are authorized to conduct such periodic reconnaissance flights over the coastal area of China south of the 32nd Parallel of latitude as you may consider necessary to determine the imminence of any attack that may be launched against Formosa.”