THE TACH EN ISLANDS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
C
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 15, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 23, 2003
Sequence Number: 
5
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
February 2, 1952
Content Type: 
REPORT
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0.pdf218.49 KB
Body: 
25X1 Apprg g p eC 1D A-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0 25X1 't .N REPORT NO. INFORMATION REPORT CD NO. COUNTRY China SUBJECT The Tach'en Islands 25X1 PLACE ACQUIRED DATE OF INFO. -THIS D0CDMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATI?NAL DEFENSE OF T$L UNITED STATES. WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE S. SECTIONS 799 FIND 794. OF THE U. S. CODE. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSiIN OR REVEL- ATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHOR ED PERSON 25X1 25X1 DATE DISTR. g`PSLW NO. OF PAGES 3 NO. OF ENCLS. (LISTED BELOW) SUPPLEMENT TO REPORT NO. THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION ILLEGIB ieol raphyy. a Econoi 1. The Tachten group of islands off the Chekiang coast contains two medium-sized islands, Shangtach'en (121-53, 28-32) and Hsiatach'en (121-54, 28-28), and numerous smaller islands. The two large islands are each approximately four square miles in area. a. Hsiatach'en is extremely rugged with steep hills and a very few small level areas. The coast is for the most part steep and rocky with very few landing areas. Hsiatach'en has few trees and these consist of palms and a medium-sized variety similar to maples; most trees are in the vicinity of villages. The island is covered with gr es except for the rocky coast and the cultivated areas. Hsiatach'en is extensively cultivated, especially on the slopes. The main crops are sweet potatoes and peanuts. Very little rice is grown. Water is very scarce on Hsiatach'en and has to be trans- ported from Shangtach'en. b. Shangtaoh'en has a number of good beaches. The ridges are flat except for a hill rising in the north central part of the island. With the exception of portions of the coastline, this island is not rocky. The top soil and the subsoil vary from one to eight or ten feet in depth. Shangtach'en has the same kinds of trees as does Hsiatach'en but there are more of them. There is very little vegetation on the northern part of the island. This island is also covered with grass except on the rocky coast and in cultivated areas. On the southern part. of the island the grass is very dense, and in some places it is knee high. The crops are the same as those on Hsiatach'en, but cultivation on slopes is less extensive. Shangtach'en has an abundant supply of water from small streams, springs, and wells. Most of the water is obtained on the lower levels. There ate shallow wells about ten feet deep, however, on the higher levels. Shangtach'en is well traversed by footpaths, suitable for use in all types of weather. Some of these paths can be widened sufficiently, with a minimum of labor, to handle one-way jeep traffic. . The following features are common to both islands: CLASS nC N CONFIDENTIAL 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/08/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0 Approved For Release 2003/08/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0 CONFIDENTILL 25X1 25X1A 25X1 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ILLEGIB concrete, is available. No lumber or other construction material is available on the islands. b. Landing areas. Sampans may be landed at the landing areas at any time. The difference between high and low tide is approximately 12 feet. The harbor between the two islands is large and well protected. It will accommodate any size-Qf ship and furnishes a good landing area for flying boats. There are no airfields on the islands. There is, however, a piece of fairly level ground, 1,500 feet by 60 to 90 feet, which would be suitable for the construction of a landing strip for small planes. Such a project would not involve too much work. c. Weather. The climate is cold and damp during the winter months. There is much rain and during December and January there is snow. The prevailing wind is from the northeast, and summer months are cold and clear, except for occasional storms and rain. d. Population. The total population is 12,000. This includes naval head- quarters, 1,300 marines, and 1,600 guerrillas. Most of the local populace is engaged in fishing and farming. There are shopkeepers and carpenters also. e. Labor. There is an abundant supply of labor on both islands, but there are very few skilled men. The rate of pay for common labor is from eight twitwenty New Taiwan dollars per day for short-time work, and much less for regular work. Some carpenters and stone masons are available. Sampans with two men can be hired for NT$20.00 per day. Laborers prefer to receive most of their wages in rice. f. Fuel. There is no natural source of fuel on the Tachtens. Coal can be purchased at NT$362.00 a ton and firewood at NT$30.00 for 100 catties. g. Food. The Chinese Nationalist government furnishes the guerrilla forces with rice. Other food must be purchased on the local market. Foods available on the local market, at the following prices, are; (1) rice NT$10.00 for 6 to 8 catties (2) sweet potatoes NT$ 0.50 per cattie (3) onions .50 per cattie (4) salt 1.00 per cattie (5) cooking oil 8.50 per cattie (6) fish The price varies, but this is the cheapest and most plentiful food. h. Haney. The standard currency used in the Tachtens is the New Taiwan dollar. Silver dollars may also be used, at the rate of one silver dollar to NT$10.00. lei.. itary 3. Navy Captain CHOU is in command of both Hsiatachten and Shangtach'en, and marine Colonel HSU is the deputy commander. Although Captain CHOU does not have operational command of the guerrillas, he exerts a certain amount of control because he controls their rice. Details on the military units on the islands follow: a. Navy. The Nationalist naval headquarters for the Chekiang coast is at 25X1 ILLEGIB Approved For Relea 00170005-0 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/08/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005- 9c11 55X1 A C CNF ID ENT IAJj 25X1 I ILLEGIB vrav jl ca. ","In- eluding along the Chekiang coast. The navy gives support to the guerrillasthe transportation and landing of supplies at Shangtach'en, transportation to the various islands, and support for landing troops on the mainland. The navy department and the commander of the Tachtens, in particular, are very anxious to see the Tachtens built up, b. Hsiatach'en and Shangtach'en are garrisoned by 1,300 regular marines. Colonel HSU's troops are well trained, well equipped, and well officered. A good. defense plan has been drawn up for both islands. Both the navy and marines furnish leaders for labor crews. ILLEGIB ILLEGIB ILLEGIB e guerr s are in good physical condition. They are well disciplined but poorl/ the command of the navy department of the Ministry of and is charged with the security of the islands and the adminis ommand of all non-navy and non-marine personnel on the islands. General LU slang is in command of all Pao Mi Chu guerrilla forces on the Chekiang coastal islands. He has no guerrillas on the Tach'ens at the present time, but plans are being made to move Pao Mi Chu guerrillas there for tactical training. ppointment of General HU Chung-nan as commander of all n the Chekiang and Kiangsu coastal islands and in the theater olitical situation with its command problems C ONF IDENT IAL/ 25X1 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/08/06 : CIA-RDP82-00457R010100170005-0