CAT ROLE IN INDOCHINA

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05261263
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2022
• Case Number: F-2022-01173
• Publication Date: May 7, 1954

Approved for Release: 2022/08/05 C05261263
COPY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The Under Secretary
SECRET
May 71 1954
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr, George E. Aurell
Subject: CAT Role in Indochina
It will be appreciated if you will have transmitted
the following telegram:
"Priority. Personal for General Smith from Murphy and Berry.
"Possibility of CAT air operations in Indochina on French
contract again raises question of use of Chinese air crews and
ground maintenance as well as whether CAT aircraft with Chinat
markings should be employed.
"Embassy Saigon states French military agree use of Chinese
air crews and recommends use of Chinese be permitted provided
they not Nationalist Chinese from Formosa. CIA states OiDaniel
concurs use Chinese air crews. No indication Saigon views regard�
ing Chinese in ground crews.
"FE and EUR Bureaus believe French should determine whether
permit use of Chinese of whatever origin and consider important
that CAT planes employed in Indochina bear markings other than
Chinese. CIA has already requested CAT explore possibility
change markings. Department asking CIA instruct CAT obtain
views competent French political authority Saigon on use Chinese.
"Request your views."
In accordance with the penultimate paragraph of the
telegram it will be appreciated if you will instruct CAT
the views of the competent French political authority in
regarding use of Chinese personnel both as air crews and
ground maintenance.
foregoing
to obtain
Saigon
for
/s/Lampton Berry
Deputy Operations Coordinator
r" 4,7flJ
Approved for Release: 2022/08/05 C05261263