740.0011 Pacific War/3559
The Ambassador in China (Gauss) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 27.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a translation of a confidential report92 written by a Chinese correspondent of the Ta Kung Pao in regard to the military, political and economic phases of the battle in the Lake District of Western Hupeh in May 1943. This report was printed on a single sheet by the Ta Kung Pao at Chungking for very limited distribution and none of the material has been published in the paper’s regular edition.
The correspondent spent a month and a half in the battle area during June and July where he talked with military personnel, with government officials and with the country people. As a result of his observations, he feels that the battle was a military defeat, a serious economic failure and a grave political defeat.
Summary. Although the Chinese military authorities had prior knowledge of the enemy’s retreat, the Chinese counter-offensive did not begin until some days later and in its attacks the Chinese encountered only a small number of enemy rear guard units. Chinese troops engaged in the campaign totaled 20 divisions while the enemy forces were estimated at one and a half divisions or between 20,000 to 30,000, two-thirds of which were puppet troops. Chinese losses were approximately 70,000 to 80,000 men while enemy losses were from 3,000 to 4,000 men. The Chinese soldiers in this campaign were as well equipped as those of the enemy but the poor physical condition and training of the Chinese troops were largely responsible for the defeat.
Causes of Chinese military weakness are said to be: (1) false reports on operations by military commanders of all grades; (2) lack of cooperation among commanding officers; (3) remoteness of high [Page 159] commanders from their troops; (4) insufficient trained officers; (5) lack of food and medical attention for the soldiers; (6) enmity of the common people toward the Chinese troops; and (7) treachery of Chinese who aid the enemy.
Under present conditions, which are believed to exist generally throughout the National Government’s armies, a division of soldiers may be entirely wiped out by disease, starvation and desertions within two years’ time without ever having participated in military operations.
Large towns and small villages in the battle area were reduced to ashes and most of the people were killed or taken away by the enemy, who also carried off or destroyed all movable property, broke dikes and burned boats in the area affected. The population was greatly reduced and the destruction effected by the enemy will require twenty to thirty years to repair.
The harsh treatment of the common people by the Chinese troops and the Japanese policy of apparent friendliness to them has resulted in making the common people hostile toward their own soldiers. In one town the Chinese garrison, prior to the arrival of the enemy, ordered the local populace to evacuate the city but would not permit them to take their possessions. Following the evacuation the garrison completely looted the city and killed those who had refused to depart. In another place the garrison was guilty of looting, rape, murder and burning of houses and of charging the populace large sums of money for permits to enable them to return to their homes. Local government organizations were in league with the enemy and smugglers and members of secret societies deceived the people into thinking the Japanese would be friendly to them. This was true during the enemy’s advance, but when they retreated they burned villages and killed the people on a vast scale. These same traitors, however, continued to work for the local governmental and party organizations after the campaign. End of summary.
The foregoing description of the Hupeh campaign and of the destruction resulting therefrom has been heard from other sources and is believed to be accurate. It represents a damning indictment of the Chinese military authorities responsible for the conditions existing among Chinese troops and gives an indication of the meager extent to which the Chinese armed forces can be expected to contribute to the United Nations war effort unless drastic reorganization takes place. It is not believed that the man in the street is aware of the degree of ineffectiveness of Chinese military strength and many Chinese observers are of the opinion that President Chiang Kai-shek himself is not aware of the extent to which the Chinese army has deteriorated. They state that no one dares tell him the truth and that if anyone did attempt to give him a true picture of the situation those close to the President would prevent such action. It is generally agreed that the higher military authorities are aware of these conditions but are unable effectively to remedy the situation because of economic, financial and political considerations.
[Page 160]Most observers agree that the distressing conditions found among Chinese troops in the Hupeh area are not confined to those forces but generally exist throughout every area. Even the troops of General Hu Tsung-nan, Deputy Commander of the 8th War Zone, which are said to be the best equipped and trained of all the Chinese forces, are reported to require monthly replacements at the rate of 600 men a division. Numerous reports have reached the Embassy of the general ill-health among Chinese troops throughout free China because of lack of sufficient food and medical attention. Many critics state that honest and efficient military administration alone would go far toward solving the problem in that the troops would then receive the food and medical supplies intended for them and the elimination of the present practice of padding the rolls indulged in by military commanders would enable the government to save a considerable sum. There seems, however, little or no hope that any effective steps will be taken by the Chinese authorities to relieve the present situation and the only positive and effective Chinese military contribution will likely come from American-trained and equipped Chinese forces who may be expected to be given decent rations and medical attention.
Respectfully yours,
- Not printed.↩