Office of the Historian

Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270: Telegram

General Marshall to Colonel Marshall S. Carter

Nanking, 17 December 1946.

1878. 18586 refers. Admiral Cooke and I have agreed on the withdrawal of the following additional Marine Units as soon as permitted by availability of shipping:

  • Item a. The remaining 2 battalions of the 11th Marines;
  • Item b. 1 Tank Battalion Headquarters and 1 Tank Company;
  • Item c. 1 Fighter Squadron

The strength of the above units totals approximately 1200. Admiral Cooke will contact the Navy Department for actual withdrawal orders on these units. This withdrawal plus the 4000 Marines already under orders to leave China will reduce the Marine strength by approximately 5200. Further reductions will be recommended if the situation between Peiping, Tientsin and the sea quiets down.

Please pass this information to Mister Acheson.

  1. See footnote 5, above.↩