OFFSHORE ISLAND SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000300240006-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2009
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: February 1, 1955
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2009/03/17: CIA-RDP91TO 1172R000300240006-8
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
1 February 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT: Offshore Island Situation
Military activity was relatively quiet in the islands
yesterday, except for a small flare-up in the Tachens, where,
according to the press, four Chinese Communist "warships"
fired on Yushan Island, 35 miles northeast of the Tachens.
Chiang Kai-shek on 31 January halted preparations for the
evacuation of the Tachen garrison despite urging by CINCPAC
Admiral Stump that the evacuation be carried out, according 25X1
to press reports.- At the_same time,--Chiang demanded "iron- 25X1
offshore islands.
The Communists, noting both the delay in the Tachens
withdrawal and the press accounts explaining it, are likely
to step up their attacks against the Tachens and might move
quickly against other Nationalist-held islands as well.
Chiang's obstinacy on the Tachen evacuation also suggests
that Nationalist leaders have made a decision to gamble on
last-minute US intervention in the event of a Communist attack
on the islands, rather than to permit a withdrawal to be
interpreted as a renunciation of hopes for a return to the
mainland.
Despite the current lull there are indications that the
Chinese Communists are preparing for further military opera-
tions in the Tachen area.
PACOM Review Completed
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According to a MAAG report, an advanced command post of
the Chinese Communist 60th Infantry Division moved on 22
January from Sungmen to Chinmen, opposite Pishan Island.
This move was of a relatively short distance, but it would
put troops in a better position to stage an attack on Pishan,
35 miles southwest of Tachens.
Early on 1 February four Chinese Communist warships
"approached" Yushan Island and "tried to shell" the island
but all rounds fell into the sea, according to the Taipei
press. The Communist ships are said to have withdrawn under
strong fire from the defenders.
Communist artillery on Ichiang Island fired on the Tachens
again yesterday but the Nationalists said no damage was done.
Construction work on newly-captured Ichiang continues.
During the Chinese Communist air attack on the Tachens
on 31 January, 20 Nationalist troops were wounded and two
killed. In addition, 16 civilians were killed and 23 wounded,
and some warehouses were probably destroyed.
Matsus
Negative.
Quemoys
Negative.
HUNTINGTON D. SHELDON
Assistant Director,
Current Intelligence
25X1
Approved For Release 2009/03/17: CIA-RDP91TO 1172R000300240006-8