INTRODUCTION OF IL-28 AIRCRAFT INTO THE CHINESE COMMUNIST AIR FORCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00937A000200010002-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2000
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: December 29, 1952
• Content Type: MEMO

,,,, Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79T00937A000200010762-8
CONFIDENTIAL'
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
*USAF Declass/Release Instructions On File*
29 December 1952
STAFF MEMORANDUM NO* 300
SUBJECT: Introduction of IL-28 Aircraft Into the Chinese Communist
Air Force
lv The recent introduction of two air regiments of IL-28
jet light bombers into the Chinese Commulnist Air Force (CCAF) in
Manchuria is a particularly significant development. For the first
time since the outbreak of the Korean ware the Communists have the
capability of making daytime strikes in sizeable force against UN
forces in Korea,, the adjoining Korean waters, and Japan.
20 Concerning this de to ot: the .D1/tV- ro in a
memorandum dated 17 December 1951, concludes:
At any time after the end of January 1953, the
IL~28's ould be committed, in conjunction with existing
MIt3 trength' in a campaign capable of inflicting
hen amage on UN installations in Korea. Such an opera
do ould be most difficult to counter. If the Manchurian
sanctuary continued to be respected during these attacks,
UN loss of air superiority could result,, and the position
of UN forces in Korea would be placed in serious jeopardy.
The addition of these IL.28's to the CCAF gives
the Communists in the Far East a more balanced Air Force
with the capability of forcing the UN ( and in effect the
US) to choose between:
a Continuing Korean operations under
extreme verse conditions imposed by a
super:. nervy air force='or
Approved For Release
bp Initiating attacks on Coax mist air
bases in Manchuria.
DOCUMENT NO.
NO CHANGE IN CLASS.
0 DECLASSIFIED
CLASS. CHANGED TO : TS~
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
TH- HR 70-2
 CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : Ill&Ui?gcgO0937A000200010002-8
3. The extant '_Iational intelligence Estt.ato dealing
with oneW air potential in Korea is NE-55A, "Communist Capa ili-
ties and Probable Courses of Action in Korea" dated 30 July 1952.
The section dealing with.C inniunist, air capabilities reads:
The Ca imunists now possess the capability of
seriously challenging the UN air effort in Northwest
Korea as far south as the Chongshon River and of ex-
:% nding thoir air operations southward into UI: held terri-
tory and adjacent waters.
The assignr-ent of Jet bombardment aircraft to
the Korean area would Greatly enhance these oapabilitios.
4. The Far Erst Staff of 0/1E considers that the increased
enen- air capability foreshadowed by this clevelopsncnt does not alter
our' extant estimate to-such a degree that a re-estimate of Cc=mist
capabilities and probable courses of action is required at tr& time.
Only one air regiment of IL-28 aircraft is expected to becappera-
tional by th:: end of January. The only other air regiment now in
I ,nehuria is not expected to became operational for an additional
month or two. Moreover, it does not appear that these two units,
when operational, could in themsr1ves so enhance Communist air capa-
bilities as to warrant an el&nq decision to begin largo-scale barb-
ing of UN forces from I?tnchurian bases, The Carnrnmists must consider,
on the basis of numerous us-u!, pronouncements, that the commitment of
Manchurian-based aircraft against UN forces in Korea wi uld result in
UN expansion oo the Korean war through retaliatirn against these.
? nchurian bases. AlthouCh we believe it likely that the Communists
over a period of time will build up a powerful IL-20 striking force,
which would possess the capability of greatly changing the situation
in Korea, we consider that such a development coii1d hardly occur be-
fore late spring.
5.. Ile reoornnend, therofore, that no special estimate be
initiated at this time to deal with the presence of IL 28 aircraft
in the Chinese Communist air force. NIC-554 is scheduled for revi-
sion in the early spring, at which time the increase in Chinese
Communist air capabilities can be weighed together with4her now
factors in the Korean situation.
25X1A9a
TOP SERE?
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2000/08/29 : CIA-RDP79T00937A000200010002-8