OFFSHORE ISLAND SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91T01172R000300240026-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 17, 2009
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: February 26, 1955
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2009/03/17: CIA-RDP91TO1172R000300240026-6
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
26 February 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director (Intelligence)
SUBJECT: Offshore Island Situation
General
According to a ministry of national defense communique
reported by the Taipei press, a mixed fleet of 11 Chinese
Communist gunboats and junks shelled Wuchiu island, midway
between the Matsus and Quemoys, near midnight Far East time on
25 February. Fire was returned by the Nationalist guerrilla
garrison and the attacking ships allegedly "fled toward the
north." There has been no confirmation of this reported attack.
Military activity in other offshore islands continues at 25X1
a low level.
Matsu
Negative.
Wuchiu
Press reports of Communist shelling of the Wuchiu islands
on 25 February suggest Peiping may be planning an early invasion
of Wuchiu. Wuchiu lies about fifteen miles off the coast, mid-
way between the Matsu group and Quemoy. It is garrisoned by an
estimated 800 Nationalist guerrilla troops. Last activity reported
in the Wuchiu area was a similar Communist naval bombardment of
the islands on 26 November 1954. --'
Quemoy
Nationalist plans to increase the strength of the
garrison are being carried out. A battery of four.155mmQ
uartillery
pieces arrived at Quemoy from Formosa on 24 February. The
Nationalists plan to bring all units on Quemoy up to full strength
PACOM Review Completed
VIN F49MSE, FOR DECLASSIFICATION ACT:
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Approved For Release 2009/03/17: CIA-RDP91TO 1172R000300240026-6
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N. Change In trlasa.
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during March, adding an estimated 10,000 regulars to the garrison
there. Current strength consists of about 54,000 regulars and
1,500 guerrillas.
Forecast for the next 48 hours is cloudy, changing to partly
cloudy with morning coastal fog. Winds are between 5 and 8 knots;
the sea is slight.
_ HUNTINGTON D. SHELDON
Assistant Director,
Current Intelligence
M
Approved For Release 2009/03/17: CIA-RDP91TO 1172R000300240026-6