Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram
Colonel Marshall S. Carter to General Marshall
96621. 129 Tactical Aircraft remain to be turned over through surplus property channels to complete the aircraft portion of the 8–⅓ Group Chinese Air Force Program. These 129 Tactical Aircraft include the following:
| 52 | P–51, |
| 40 | P–47, |
| 37 | B–24. |
FLC has always operated under a policy which forbids the sale of tactical aircraft to foreign Governments or foreign Nationals. The 8–⅓ Group Program was treated as an exception to this policy, in view of the State–War–FLC decision that equipment for the program would be provided either through Lend-Lease or surplus property channels. In view of the lapse of time and the somewhat changed conditions since the 8–⅓ Group Program was approved, as well as the general sales policy set forth in 1226,20 should the aircraft portion of the 8–⅓ Group Program be completed at this time by turnover of the remaining 129 Tactical Aircraft?
- Telegram of August 2, not printed.↩