What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified government record is a July third, nineteen-fifty-one memorandum from General Headquarters, Far East Command, concerning the planning for employment of Chinese Nationalist Forces. This document is available on documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under Freedom of Information Act case number one-nine-eight-seven-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-one-four-eight-eight, declassified on May twenty-first, nineteen-ninety-six, by an A-A-R-O officer. The declassification authority was the Chief, Records Management. The document, marked TOP SECRET, is titled "Planning for Employment of Chinese Nationalist Forces". It is addressed to the Chief, Joint Advisory Group, and Chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group. It states, "It is desired that you give consideration to exploring the manners in which the Chinese Nationalist forces might be employed, offensively or defensively, against the Chinese Communist forces. The United States national interest involves two main areas. Firstly, the employment of limited forces (up to divisional strength), supported by United States naval and air forces, with the objectives of: (one) Distracting Chinese Communist forces from their commitments in Korea, (two) Inducing the Communists to commit additional resources to this area, (three) Disrupting lines of communication, (four) Supplying and encouraging guerrilla forces, (five) Destroying Chinese Communist installations, (six) Ascertaining the nature of the reception that might be given to Chinese Nationalist forces if they undertake major operations on the mainland." The document continues, "Secondly, the employment of major Chinese Nationalist forces and supplies by United States naval and air forces with the objectives of: (one) Establishing a beachhead in a suitable area south of the Yangtze River, (two) Eventually establishing United States naval and air control of China south of the Yangtze River." It notes, "Available intelligence has indicated clearly that much remains to be done before the Chinese Nationalist forces will be adequately equipped and trained for major offensive operations. It is not contemplated that the Chinese Nationalists would be deployed on the mainland against forces of a strength equal to the Chinese Communist forces now in Korea, but initially only against units such as those which have been withdrawn from the Korean front and are in process of reorganizing. A major invasion would not be started until there is a reasonable probability that Chinese Nationalist forces would receive considerable support from guerrillas and the native population." The memorandum requests, "that you provide this headquarters, for planning purposes, your views upon the courses of action of paragraphs two and three and, assuming adequate United States naval and air support, your estimates as to the following: (a) Under the present program with no additional acceleration in equipping from the Zone of Interior, (one) By what dates could…

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.

This Declassified Government Record Is A July Third, Nineteen Fifty One

◆ BLUF — The short version

This declassified government record is a July third, nineteen-fifty-one memorandum from General Headquarters, Far East Command, concerning the planning for employment of Chinese Nationalist Forces. com. This document was released under Freedom of Information Act case number one-nine-eight-seven-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-one-four-eight-eight, declassified on May twenty-first, nineteen-ninety-six, by an A-A-R-O officer.

Date: OCT 19 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

This declassified government record is a July third, nineteen-fifty-one memorandum from General Headquarters, Far East Command, concerning the planning for employment of Chinese Nationalist Forces. This document is available on documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under Freedom…

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What was This Declassified Government Record Is A July Third, Nineteen Fifty One about?: This declassified government record is a July third, nineteen-fifty-one memorandum from General Headquarters, Far East Command, concerning the planning for employment of Chinese Nationalist Forces. com. This document was released under Freedom of Information Act case number one-nine-eight-seven-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-one-four-eight-eight, declassified on May twenty-first, nineteen-ninety-six, by an A-A-R-O officer.
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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This Declassified Government Record Is A July Third, Nineteen Fifty One

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