What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning United States air reconnaissance flights over the People’s Republic of China, dated March fifteenth, nineteen fifty‑two. The document is notable because it provides a contemporaneous operational assessment of a reconnaissance mission conducted by Task Force Seventy‑two, and it reflects the early Cold War intelligence focus on Chinese maritime activity. The record was released to the public through The Black Vault’s online archive. The file appears in the Black Vault collection under the identifier CI00888 and was made available as a digitized text file on the archive.org platform. The declassification authority is listed as the Central Intelligence Agency, and the document is marked Top Secret. The full text can be accessed at the URL https://archive.org/download/us-china-intel-CI00888/CI00888djvu.txt. Now, the document itself. TOP, SEL2LT™ SECURITY INFORMATION © GENERAL HEADQUARTERS FAR EAST COMMAND OUTGOING MESSAGE FROM: GINGFE, TOKYO – JAPAN TO: CINCPAC PEARL HARBOR TH… INFO: COMNAVFE TOKYO DEPARTMENT (PSYWAR) USARMA – TAIPEI ARPAN: eced hm ok eae WASH DC = a aoe … ote … at Ca om es ons Sp PFEC Filed AG BAB Dr Kn) condheastona inal seat il 15: Merch Tose. % a ROUTINE ~ ROUTING oo. ROUTING ba a). ‘s Reforerics messages ‘pa! 900051 “and INCFE ox”: 64127; satormaison copies have been furnished CINCPAC, ten EO 15032). ROUTINE (COURIER) – Ze. Recbunéd sans flight twenty‑nine February nineteen fifty‑two very successful from vif intelligence point of view and desirability of continuation of this reconnaissance. Concentration of approximately four hundred small craft naissance is indicated, which looked new observed vicinity twenty‑eight degrees eighteen minutes north, one hundred twenty‑one degrees thirty‑seven minutes east. Two PC type ships observed vicinity twenty‑eight degrees eighteen minutes north, one hundred twenty‑two degrees ninety‑three minutes east and two vessels vicinity twenty‑nine degrees twenty‑four minutes north, one hundred twenty‑two degrees eleven minutes east. No additional OAR information on this. Plight is available at this time. Updated arcs has been performed by Task Force Seventy‑two under COMMAVFR. The plane on flight twenty‑nine February was fired on by ground and ship‑based anti‑aircraft. COMNAVFE recommends this type plane not be used due to its vulnerability and specialized classified equipment carried. Reconnaissance will be continued until you assume responsibility for this area and operational control of Task Force Seventy‑two at zero zero zero one four, fifteen March nineteen fifty‑two. Request for regional copies of patrol reports be furnished to CINCFE, Attention G‑two as made subsequent to your assumption of responsibility. OFFICIAL: C. six. B. WARDEN, Colonel, AGC, Adjutant General. Copies: to: Chief of Staff (six) – J‑S‑P‑O‑G: G‑two Retired, G‑two Intelligence Division (Retired), G‑two Intelligence Division P‑and‑E (Retired). Reference…

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.

Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning United States Air Reconnaissance

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning United States air reconnaissance flights over the People’s Republic of China, dated March fifteenth, nineteen fifty‑two. The document is notable because it provides a contemporaneous operational assessment of a reconnaissance mission conducted by Task Force Seventy‑two, and it reflects the early Cold War intelligence focus on Chinese maritime activity.

Date: OCT 12 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning United States Air Reconnaissance about?: This is a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record concerning United States air reconnaissance flights over the People’s Republic of China, dated March fifteenth, nineteen fifty‑two. The document is notable because it provides a contemporaneous operational assessment of a reconnaissance mission conducted by Task Force Seventy‑two, and it reflects the early Cold War intelligence focus on Chinese maritime activity.
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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Central Intelligence Agency Record Concerning United States Air Reconnaissance

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