What did the declassified documents reveal?

Declassified. Today we present a Top Secret letter from August eighteenth, nineteen-fifty, detailing intelligence on the Chinese Civil War. This document is from vault.fbi.gov, archived via documents two.the black vault.com. This two-page letter, cataloged as US Intelligence on China, CI zero zero four five four, was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, case number F two thousand five dash zero zero eight zero five, on November tenth, two thousand five, by the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel. The document is a letter dated Singapore, August eighteenth, nineteen-fifty, marked Top Secret—Personal, addressed “Dear William.” It reads: "By the time you get this letter you may have heard a few echoes to the effect that General Erskine and I sneaked out a couple of days and went up to Hong Kong for a brief look-see. We had been hearing a lot of stories floating around, particularly concerning an invasion of Indochina, but no one could put his finger on anything. On top of that, French intelligence was obviously lousy and British inadequate. So it seemed a good idea to do some evaluating of our own quietly. We did not find much of great value, beyond determining that precious little worthwhile is known. But that is another subject. What made the trip really worthwhile was something else. From a variety of sources, in some of which I have complete confidence, came the highly interesting information that every province in China south of the Yangtze is in a state of civil war. In a couple of these provinces, which I will not name in order to protect some sources, there is every reason to believe that a very small amount of aid now, say a few hundred thousand dollars plus a little equipment would put the control of these provinces on our side. I have known one of the leaders for a long time and believe him to be competent and trustworthy. The advantages of such a development are twofold: One. It would compel Peking to retaliate on the area, thus diverting forces from other adventures, such as Formosa, and drain resources. Two. I have been greatly impressed by the masses of people in Southeast Asia who are fence sitting to make sure they come out on the winning side. I think it highly questionable how much of our program can succeed without their support. Nor can I think of anything better calculated to swing the waverers than what I have mentioned above. I believe most Southeast Asians want us to win, but they want some evidence we will before they stick their necks out. A real splash in China would galvanize Southeast Asia, I am sure, and this little caper would be more than a splash. Perhaps it would be possible for some discreet approach to be made to O P C to wring out of them what they know about this and coincidentally to drive them, or someone else, into quick and effective action. Out here, I don't know quite what or how the approach should be made. Possibly Krentz, You will know best about that. The one thing I…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-010Declassified

Filed NOV 5 · 2026Runtime 1 min

FBI Top Secret Letter From August Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 5, 2026

intelligence-vault

◆ BLUF — The short version

Declassified. Today we present a Top Secret letter from August eighteenth, nineteen-fifty, detailing intelligence on the Chinese Civil War. com.

Date: NOV 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

↯ Dispatch — press play1:00

0:001:00

↯ Share

X in r/

Episode notes

Declassified. Today we present a Top Secret letter from August eighteenth, nineteen-fifty, detailing intelligence on the Chinese Civil War. This document is from vault.fbi.gov, archived via documents two.the black vault.com. This two-page letter, cataloged as US Intelligence on China, CI zero zero…

View the primary source document

Questions about this case

What was FBI Top Secret Letter From August Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty about?: Declassified. Today we present a Top Secret letter from August eighteenth, nineteen-fifty, detailing intelligence on the Chinese Civil War. com.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

intelligence-vault

Related cases

✉ Dispatches

A short dispatch when a new file is released — narrated, answer-first, and linked straight to the primary source. No spam; unsubscribe anytime.

↯ Subscribe to the feed

RSS feed Browse all cases

FBI Top Secret Letter From August Eighteenth, Nineteen Fifty

Questions about this case

Related cases

FBI From The Declassified Archives, This Episode Presents An Intelligence Summary

Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record Concerning U.s.

United States Air Force Record From August Eighth, Nineteen Fifty

United States Army Record Detailing An Oral Report By Averell Harriman

Today, We Present A Declassified National Security Agency Intelligence Summary

Questions about this case

Related cases

FBI From The Declassified Archives, This Episode Presents An Intelligence Summary

Today, We Examine A Declassified Government Record Concerning U.s.

United States Air Force Record From August Eighth, Nineteen Fifty

United States Army Record Detailing An Oral Report By Averell Harriman

Today, We Present A Declassified National Security Agency Intelligence Summary

Get the next declassified case in your inbox