The Chief of Staff (Marshall) to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek 65
“I have recently learned from General Stilwell that a special aircraft project which we have had under way for some time and which will involve a landing at one of your fields had not been completely coordinated with your desires. I want personally to express to you my deep regret that this matter was not brought to your attention in detail, at its inception. The necessity for secrecy has made me reluctant to discuss the subject by radio but I assumed that you had been completely informed by one of our Air officers formerly serving in China. The President is fully appreciative of your difficult situation and is particularly anxious that all our operations in your region be under your complete control and in conformity with your desires. Since he has learned that you consider the execution of this mission undesirable at this time he would be very glad to cancel it if this were possible and he regrets that he cannot now do so because of the imminence of execution. He is therefore especially grateful to you for the very effective measures you have directed to be taken to make the venture a success. I take this opportunity to assure you that in the future no U. S. Army effort will be undertaken in your theatre until I have received definite evidence that you approve in every respect. I hope that a considerable proportion of the airplanes involved will successfully complete the mission and thereafter be available, under General Stilwell’s direction, to participate in U. S. air operations in India and China so as to support the magnificent effort you are making. By every means possible we are attempting to rush air support to that important region.
- Copy transmitted to President Roosevelt. The text of the message is preceded by the following sentence: “This message is to be delivered immediately and personally to the Generalissimo.” Photostatic copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.↩