THE TACH EN ISLANDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• 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
• Publication Date: February 2, 1952
• Content Type: REPORT

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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
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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
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NO. OF PAGES 3
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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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:
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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.
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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
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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.
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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/
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