OFFSHORE ISLANDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300250007-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 12, 2000
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: February 16, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approve d For Release 2001/09/01: CIA-RDP80RR14~Vd25~6
OFFSHORE ISLANDS
NSA Declassification/Release Instructions on File.
I. On 13 Feb, day after 7th Fleet completed
evacuation, Peiping radio boasted ChiComs
had "liberated" Tachens.
A. ChiCom plans for Tachens not known,
but may make two larger islands into
naval base for operations to south.
B. Tachen terrain, and problem of keeping
island supplied with large amounts of
POL, would make it difficult, perhaps
impossible for ChiComs build air base
there.
II. Peiping's announcement of "liberation"
Ta.chens made pointed reference to Nanchishan
as only island off Chekiang coast not yet
taken.
A. Because ChiComs may believe US unwill-
ing to defend Nanchishan, this island
may well be next target.
Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300250007-6
 ApprcHrgd FpitRelIa&?2fW9/flbuelPC-R?eURCLt4Ai Rfl0300250007-6
5X1 D1 a
craft operating near Wenchow (40 mi
to NW), likely staging area, for any
assault on Nanchishan. Also,
several ChiCom
ships began moving south from Shanghai
on 15 Feb.
III. ChiNats have vowed to defend Nanchishan at
all costs: Chiang told press (16 Feb) he
regarded Nanchishan as part of Matsu group,-
"which US will defend."
A. MAAG says Nats rumored planning to
withdraw 2,500 Nat regulars on island,
replace them with guerrilla forces
taken from Tachens. Total guerrilla
strength might reach 5,000-6,000.
B. Taipei planning evacuate Nanchishan
divilians (about 2,000). Some 900
already taken to Formosa, according
to ChiNa.t press.
IV. Situation quiet in Matsus following scare
red Frt of ChiCom ship concentration last
Approve or Release 2001/09/01 :CIA-RDP80RO1443R000300250007-6
_2_
week.
25X1 D1 a
NSA
 Approved Fir RSiW 2t009fff 'blA PSVRO'f~43 D30( 06V-6
vessels and 600 junks massed along
coast opposite Matsus on 11 Feb.
1. Thought invasion might be imminent,-
requested permission to bomb ships.
B. CNO withheld permission pending further-
reconnaissance. Following days showed
no unusual activity: number vessels
reported was normal for area.
C. However, ChiCom assault on Matsus pos-
sible at any time, although we believe
probing operations would come first.
In Quemoys, situation also quiet, but
ChiComs apparently continue preparations.
A. MAAG at Ta.ipei believes Quemoys are
next ChiCom target. MAAG bases belief
on recent heavy vehicular traffic -in
area, including artillery movements,
and on increase in artillery positions.
Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA3RDP80R01443R000300250007-6
 Approved F$r Repj.1$a~90j/4$/% ii0l3p844G3RflQM0250007-6
artillery positions now ring Quemoys.
Not confirmed, but this compares with
about 450 reported last fall.
(Positions not all
occupied. G-2 esti-_
mates 160-200 artillery weapons in
area) .
C. We believe these preparations not.
necessarily geared to early invasion
attempt. -As in Ma.tsus, ChiComs more
likely to conduct probing action
first, as test US intentions.
-4-
Approved For Release 2GOaJ09/Q L. ,CJP,~Q,4,4~3R000300250007-6