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

794A.00/8–1450: Telegram

The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Far East (MacArthur)

top secret
priority

Washington, 14 August 1950—3:07 p. m.

JCS 88681. From JCS. Your CX 59318¹ intent of Presidential Directive and of our orders “by Naval and Air action” to defend Formosa against invasion or attack by Chinese Communists is to limit our action there to such operations as are practicable without committing any forces to the island of Formosa itself. Joint Chiefs of Staff therefore desire at this time that you make no commitment to Chinese Nationalist Government to base fighter squadrons on Formosa in event of actual attack and that no squadrons or other U.S. forces be based ashore on Formosa unless specific approval has been given by them.

1. The text of this message from General MacArthur, dated August 4, read in part as follows:

   “… No plans to transfer FEC Ftr Sqdns to Formosa except in event actual attack on Formosa by Communists. However, GHQ survey team as well as representatives FEAF and NAVFE are visiting Formosa to make survey of defense rqmts, and ftr elements from Okinawa and Philippines will make flights over Formosa for both familiarization of FEC pers and morale build-up for population of Formosa. As part of familiarization flights considered highly desirable for small groups of F–80 A/C to land temporarily at one or more Formosa airfields.

   “2. Consider foregoing action in consonance with existing directive. It is repeated that there is no current intention to physically transfer air elements to Formosa except in actual invasion by Communists.” (Department of Defense Files).