LETTER TO DEAR . . .: FROM C. L. CHENNAULT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 28, 2014
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: July 31, 1952
• Content Type: LETTER

Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
4
Claire Zee Chennauft
SUITE 309. KASS BUILDING ? 711 14TH STREET, NORTHWEST ? WASHINGTON 5. D. C.
Jilly 31, 1952
Dear ...:
CABLE NIODRUS.C;
PHONE MECTROPrA TN 5797
These clippings show that after nearly three years
of uphill fight we have finally won our Hong Kong airPlam
case before the Privy Council in London. This is the
West 's first Cold War victory in the Jr East.
We have nay made sure that this vast transport
fleet with its spare parts and equipnent will never fall
into the hands of the Chinese Reds. Our next job is to
get this material physically cu.t of the Hong Kong danger
zone so that it may be used to the best advantage of our
side in the fight against Communism.
I know this victory will give you deep personal
satisfaction since your tenacious help and interest
contributed greatly to the result. May I add my personal
thanks for your invaluable aid and encouragement.
Yours sincerely,
C. L. CHECNNAULT
Maj ar General, 'CT .8 A . (Ret tcfl
neclassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28: CIA-RDP8OR01731R001700060008-4
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28 CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28: CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
LIST HD. 1
Mosorable WiUjea T. Wmlane.
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Mamorable Thomas J. Lane
Meuse Office Banding
Washington 25, D. C.
Menorable William' Langer
Senate Off ice Building
Whahington 25,D. C.
Honorable 503317 D. Larca Zr.
IGANO Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable Herwy Cabot lodge, Jr.
Senate Office Wilding
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable Pat No
Correa
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable Joseph R. Mbe
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable John W. McCormack
Souse ibi'fice Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable George V. Malone
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable Hurart R. Alaytank
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
Honorable Blair Moody
Senate Office Building
Washington 25, D. C.
-2-
Honorable Donald B. Wilson, Nationta C awarder
Artrican Legion, 108 I Stavet,
Washington 25, D. C.
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Berate Off Ivo 41n .3
Waskingtozt, 25,
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House Office
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28: CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
Declassified and Approved For Release 2014/03/28 CIA-RDP80R01731R001700060008-4
Claire Zee Chennauft
SUITE 309, KAss BUILDING ? 711 14rH STREET. NORTHWEST ? WASHINGTON 5. D. C.
New York Times,
July 21, 1952
CHENNAULT CARRIES
AIR CASE TO LONDON
LONDON, July 20 VII? Maj.
Gen. Claire L. Chennault will begin
a last-ditch legal fight tomorrow
before Britain's highest court to
win back forty transport planes
that were-handed over to the Chi-
nese Communists last year by the
Honk Kong Supreme Court.
The retired United States chief
of the "Flying Tigers" has ap-
pealed to a panel of Privy Council
peers for reversal of the Hong
Kong decision. The case dates to
Dec. 19, 1949, when Generalissimo
Chiang Kai-shek was rapidly losing
the Chinese mainland. Chinese air-
line employes deserted to the reds
and flew some of the planes of two
Nationalist-owned companies to
Peiping.
At that point General Chennault
announced that he had bought the
two companies, whose assets were
estimated at $20,000,000. The Chi-
nese press said he had paid $4,000,-
000 for the planes.
The disputed aircraft, which are
being held in Hong Kong by Chi-
nese Communist employes, were
impounded by the British pending
the outcome of the court battle
over their ownership.
General Chennault has asked the
return of the planes to Civil Air
Transport, Inc., his Far East air-
line.
Sir Hartley Shawcross, Attorney
General in the former Labor Gov-
ernment; will represent General
Chennault's company. William J.
Donovan, wartime director of the
United States Office of Strategic
Services, and Thomas G. Corcoran,
prominent official of the Roosevelt
administration, are here as legal
advisers. James J. Brennan, execu-
tive vice president of the company,
is also here for the hearings.
npriacsified and Approved For
CABI_I 4^,?:LAULT"
PHONE METR3.7.t I AN 5797
New York Times,
July 29, 1952
CHENNAULT VICTOR
IN SUIT ON PLAIIS
Privy Council Awards Him 40
Chinese Aircraft, Which Are
Impounded in Hong Kong
LONDON, July 28 (UP)?Rrt-
ai's highest court reversed t -iday
a Hong Kong Supreme Cour de-
cision awarding forty former Chi-
nese Nationalist transport planes
to Communist China and oroered
that they be turned over ,o a
United States .airline.
The Privy Council allowed the
appeal of Civil Air Transport, Inc.,
of Delaware, against the 'Pong
Kong decisions and awarded ii the
aircraft, now impounded a; a
Hong Kong airfield.
The United States company -(uc-
ceeded an airline headed by vtaj.
Gen. Claire C. Cbtrinault, ( om-
mender of the Flying Tigers. 'rhe
Nationalists sold him the panties
on Dec. 12, 1949, when Britain still
recognized the Chiang Kai-thek
regime. On Jan. 5, 1950, Britain
recognized the Chinese Communist
regime, and the Hong Kong c -girt
held that the transports, vv tich
had been flown out to Hong Kong
In the last stages oi the Chinese
civil war, should go to the C
inunists.
The Chinese Communists had
sued to obtain control of the
planes, arguing they "inherit .,;(17
them upon the collapse of the 'la-
tionalist regime.
---
Hong Kong Police Seize Plat es
Special to TEE NEW Vs= T11418,
HONG KONG, Tuesday, Jub, 29
?The police swooped down on ,Cai
Tak airfield early this morn ;ng
and seized seventy-one aim; aft
bearing Communist China's iang-
Ma following the. British Privy
Council decision in London &vita
ing forty of the planes to a United
States airline.
Chinese Communist personnel
guarding the planes were removed
in police trucks. The police 's-
Burned control not only over he
forty planes involved in the Pr (fy
Councils decision but also o-er
the other aircraft, the owneranip
of which still is being tested in ; he
Hong Kong Supreme Court. VII
the planes originally were um (ir
Chinese Nationalist jurisdiction.
Release 2014/03/28 CIA-RDP8OR01731R001700060008-4