Executive Secretariat Files
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Souers)
In accord with established procedure, I submit the following summary of action taken in the implementation of NSC 11/3:10
With respect to Paragraph 1 of NSC 11/3, an understanding was reached, following discussions between representatives of Navy and State Departments, regarding the phased reduction of shore based activities of U.S. Armed Forces at Tsingtao. (The terms of this understanding are set forth in the attached Memorandum of Understanding Between the Acting Secretary of State11 and the Secretary of the Navy12 dated January 21, 1949. Copy attached.) According to Paragraph (b) of the memorandum, completion of the reduction should coincide insofar as practicable with the completion of the withdrawal of Chinese naval training facilities from Tsingtao. It is estimated that the removal of these facilities may be completed about February 1, 1949. The Navy Department has established the following schedule for the phased reduction of activities:
- (1)
- On about February 7 naval port facilities at Tsingtao will be reduced to naval barracks, commissioned officers mess, enlisted men’s club and a small recreation department with limited maintenance and transportation facilities for the foregoing;
- (2)
- The Marine Corps Air Force at Tsingtao will cease scheduled operations including Military Transport Service about January 31 with personnel embarking about February 7;
- (3)
- The Fleet Air Wing detachment at Tsingtao will base the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron afloat on a tender and from there operate the seadrome using the seaplane ramp as circumstances require;
- (4)
- The First Marines began embarking on January 27;
- (5)
- The Fleet Marine Force Western Pacific will be embarked by about February 7;
- (6)
- The Third Marines as a reduced battalion landing team will remain at Tsingtao. Of the estimated 1000 men comprising this unit, an estimated 800 will be embarked in a Naval transport and estimated 200 will be quartered in shore barracks to provide an adequate shore patrol;
- (7)
- Of 75,000 M/T (measurement tons) of useful equipment, exclusive of semi-permanent installations and excess equipment, estimated on November 2, 1948, to require lifting from Tsingtao, an [Page 1199] estimated 42,000 M/T have now been lifted. Semi-permanent installations, such as quonset huts, will be left in Tsingtao.
It was also agreed between the Navy and State Departments that no announcement would be made from Washington with respect to the foregoing but that the Public Relations Officers of the two Departments would be prepared to meet press inquiries when they arise.
No action is required in connection with Paragraph 2 of NSC 11/3.
With respect to Paragraph 3, the existing program for training units of the Chinese Navy has been suspended and is not being reestablished on Taiwan or at Amoy.