What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Weapons Requirements for Possible Future Targets in China,” dated October twenty‑third, nineteen fifty. The document is notable because it records an early U.S. assessment of strategic air operations against the People’s Republic of China during the Korean War era. The memorandum was made publicly available through The Black Vault archive. The text was released as part of the agency’s historical collections and can be accessed at the archive.org link for this file. The original classification was Top Secret, and the document has since been declassified for public consumption. The document reads as follows. Top Secret. WRIN: thirteen October nineteen fifty. OFD‑285. “Weapons Requirements for Possible Future Targets in China – Assistant for Operations Analysis, DUS/0, Directorate of Maintenance, Supply and Services, DCS. Director of Logistics, Plans, D0S/M. POSE OCT 1950. 2 MXKEX – Directorate of Intelligence, D0S/0. From: Directorate of Plans, D0S/0. The contents of this memorandum and enclosures thereto have been noted. It is understood that the great bulk of logistic support for Chinese Communist armed forces emanates from Russia. Strategic air attacks against China’s production facilities would apparently have a questionable effect upon China’s war‑making ability. Considering only one phase of the overall target system selected for attack, twenty‑five thousand tons of five‑hundred‑pound general‑purpose bombs employed in monthly or bimonthly attacks against China’s electric power industry would undoubtedly produce extremely harmful effects upon the Chinese economy through loss of electric power alone. In an attack of this magnitude there would be considerable bonus destruction of materiel and personnel having little or no direct connection with the Chinese war effort. If the net result of this phase of the contemplated strategic air attacks were compounded with the results of the balance of the attacks, it appears that the overall net result during the period of hostilities alone might well be more harmful to us than beneficial because of: a) alienation of the Chinese populace against United States policy; b) loss of face among all Asiatic peoples; c) waste of personnel and materiel on missions of questionable value; d) loss of confidence in the strategic air concept; e) Strategic Air Command units being badly positioned in case of war against the Soviet Union. In addition, the problem of post‑war reconstruction would undoubtedly be enlarged by widespread devastation. It is believed that the Assistant for Operations Analysis, in collaboration with the Directorate of Intelligence, should produce a study to determine the expected comparative results of a strategic offensive against China as against a purely tactical and interdictory offensive. It appears that such a study might generate a need for a marked revision of weapons requirements. It is further believed that the…

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-007Declassified

Filed OCT 31 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA Weapons Requirements For Possible Future Targets In China

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated October 31, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Weapons Requirements for Possible Future Targets in China,” dated October twenty‑third, nineteen fifty. S. assessment of strategic air operations against the People’s Republic of China during the Korean War era. The memorandum was made publicly available through The Black Vault archive.

Date: OCT 31 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Weapons Requirements for Possible Future Targets in China,” dated October twenty‑third, nineteen fifty. The document is notable because it records an early U.S. assessment of strategic air operations against the People’s Republic…

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What was CIA Weapons Requirements For Possible Future Targets In China about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency memorandum titled “Weapons Requirements for Possible Future Targets in China,” dated October twenty‑third, nineteen fifty. S. assessment of strategic air operations against the People’s Republic of China during the Korean War era. The memorandum was made publicly available through The Black Vault archive.
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.

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CIA Weapons Requirements For Possible Future Targets In China

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