184. Memorandum for the Files by John Goodyear, Special Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary of State1
On March 31 Admiral Smedberg2 called to obtain clearance from Mr. Murphy on a proposed signal from JCS to CINCPAC and CINCFE (information CINCSAC) implementing a series of aerial photo reconnaissance missions over Communist China.
The operations would make optimum use of Chinese Nationalist RF 86 capability (three planes). CINCPAC would undertake the operation south of the 30th parallel (but including Shanghai) as necessary in order to determine the buildup of the threat in that area. CINCFE, if requested by CINCPAC would perform similar operations north of the 30th parallel. Operations from Formosa were to be authorized. The results were to be transmitted to JCS in flash reports. [Page 439] Every precaution was to be taken to avoid detection. The JCS was to be informed of any unusual incident, or detection, or interception during flights.
Admiral Smedberg amplified this instruction by saying that only one plane would go over at a time, that the pass over enemy territory would probably take not more than 20 minutes, that consequently there was little point in including in the signal (as has been done in previous cases) a requirement that if unusual incident, detection or interception occurred, the flight be curtailed in mid-passage and the aircraft returned to base. He said that it was not clear whether, if unusual incident, detection, and/or interception occurred during one flight, and a report of such circumstances were made following return of the aircraft to base, a subsequent overflight would be made without prior clearance from JCS.
Admiral Smedberg added that he had just cleared the signal with FE (Mr. Sebald).
I discussed the matter with Mr. Murphy who also gave his concurrence.
I then telephoned Admiral Smedberg and informed him that the Department had no objection to the signal as presented to me.