What did the declassified documents reveal?

This Declassified briefing presents a top-secret memorandum from the Far East Air Forces, dated August thirtieth, nineteen fifty-one, concerning radar scope photography of China. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence gathering on Chinese territory. The record is available at archive.org. This document was released from The Black Vault's collection of U.S. intelligence on China. It was declassified under unknown authority and date, with no specific FOIA case number provided in the record. The document, titled "Radar Scope Photography of China," is a memorandum from the Commanding General of the Far East Air Forces to the Commander-in-Chief. It states: "One. Reference is made to memorandum, with one inclosure, from Commanding General, F-E-A-F to Commander-in-Chief, dated one July nineteen fifty-one and letter your headquarters, subject as above, dated twenty-nine July nineteen fifty-one. Radar scope photography of Amoy is scheduled for thirty August nineteen fifty-one. Two. You will be advised when this mission has been completed. Three. In future correspondence this mission will be referred to as Project Number twenty-one. For the Commanding General: [signature] W. J. G., U-S-A-F, Assistant Adjutant General." The document is marked "TOP SECRET" and indicates it is Copy number one of one copies. The Black Vault archive notes this document is part of a series detailing U.S. intelligence activities regarding China during the early nineteen fifties, specifically focusing on aerial reconnaissance missions. These missions aimed to gather photographic and radar intelligence on strategic locations within China. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Find more at storyflo.com and the document's canonical U-R-L, archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI00808/CI00808djvu.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.

Radar Scope Photography Of China

◆ BLUF — The short version

This Declassified briefing presents a top-secret memorandum from the Far East Air Forces, dated August thirtieth, nineteen fifty-one, concerning radar scope photography of China. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence gathering on Chinese territory. org. S. intelligence on China.

Date: OCT 17 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Radar Scope Photography Of China about?: This Declassified briefing presents a top-secret memorandum from the Far East Air Forces, dated August thirtieth, nineteen fifty-one, concerning radar scope photography of China. This document highlights early Cold War intelligence gathering on Chinese territory. org. S. intelligence on China.
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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