What did the declassified documents reveal?

From Declassified, this is a Storyflo podcast. This briefing covers a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a memorandum detailing intelligence on China and data for General Vandenberg's testimony before Congress, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-one. This document is archived at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document, originally marked Top Secret, was released under the Freedom of Information Act. It was declassified under executive order one-three-five-two-six, by the A-A-R-O, on May twenty-fourth, two-thousand-seven. It represents a critical historical record of U.S. intelligence assessments during the Korean War. The document, titled "Data for General Vandenberg's Testimony Before Congress," provides an overview of intelligence related to potential bombing campaigns against Chinese targets. It states: "There are approximately twenty-eight strategic targets in China, two in Korea, two in Formosa, two in Hainan, one in British Malaya, and one in Indochina, all considered to be of strategic importance and not included in the current Air Force list. These targets are related to Communist Chinese military and industrial support. It is believed that attacks on these targets would have an immediate and severe impact on the Chinese war effort. Strategic targets in China include: Iron and Steel Plants, Chemicals Plants, Liquid Fuel Plants, Cement Plants, and Power Plants. Attacks on these targets, coupled with an intensive interdiction campaign, could bring about a serious reduction in China's war potential. It is estimated that approximately one hundred thousand tons of ordnance would be required for an initial attack to be completed within a thirty-day period. This would be followed by an additional one hundred thousand tons for maintenance. Total of one hundred sixty-thousand tons. Should attacks be concentrated on the recommended targets for an initial thirty-day period, it would require approximately four thousand tons of ordnance per day. Naval aircraft would be required to deliver the bulk of the ordnance. It is believed that these attacks, combined with additional factors, would lead to a serious reduction in the war potential of Communist China." The Central Intelligence Agency's public archive entry for this document notes that this memorandum was a Top Secret briefing to General Vandenberg, detailing U.S. intelligence on China in nineteen-fifty-one. It outlines a proposed bombing strategy for the Korean War. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find more at storyflo.com, and view the full document at archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI00744/CI00744djvu.txt.

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.

CIA From Declassified, This Is A Storyflo Podcast.

◆ BLUF — The short version

From Declassified, this is a Storyflo podcast. This briefing covers a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a memorandum detailing intelligence on China and data for General Vandenberg's testimony before Congress, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-one. com. This document, originally marked Top Secret, was released under the Freedom of Information Act.

Date: OCT 20 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA From Declassified, This Is A Storyflo Podcast. about?: From Declassified, this is a Storyflo podcast. This briefing covers a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a memorandum detailing intelligence on China and data for General Vandenberg's testimony before Congress, dated May twenty-third, nineteen-fifty-one. com. This document, originally marked Top Secret, was released under the Freedom of Information Act.
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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