893.20/782

The Chargé in China (Vincent) to the Secretary of State

No. 1036

Sir: I have the honor to refer the Department to the Embassy’s telegram no. 242, February 18, 1 p.m. and to enclose a copy of despatch no. 32, March 22, 1943,47 from Mr. Drumright, Secretary of Embassy on detail at Chengtu, in regard to the British Air Mission at Chengtu.

With reference to the statement in the Department’s telegram no. 352, March 15, 10 p.m., to the effect that the War Department does not have any record of receipt of a request from the Chinese Government to make available air instructors, our Military Attaché, who was the source of the statement in the Embassy’s reference telegram regarding [Page 41] American instructors for the Chinese air force, has told me, for the information of the Department only, that he was advised of the matter by Major General Chennault and that it is probable Chennault referred the matter to the War Department through personal rather than official channels.

Respectfully yours,

John Carter Vincent
  1. Latter not printed.