FROM ALUSNA, CHUNGKING OPNAV DATE DEC 19, 1941. PARAPHRASED BY R.V. ROBINSON PART 2 OF 4 PARTS; PERSONAL FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. FOR THE CHINESE GROUND FORCES LIGHTER ARMAMENT MUST ALSO COME QUICKLY FROM EXISTING SUPPLIES AND THE CHINESE NOTIFIED FOR THE ONLY POSSIBLE FIELD FOR FINAL DEFEAT OF JAPAN4ESE ARMY IS IN CH I NA. THE PRESENT EXPECTATIONS OF USEFUL ACTIVITY BY THE CHINESE ARE ILL- CONCEIVED DUE TO THEIR SHORTAGE OF EQUIPMENT, POOR CONDITION OF THEIR TROOPS, AND THEIR FEAR OF LOSING WHAT EQUIPMENT REMAINS TO THEM. GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI CHEK'S ORDERS FOR COUNTER-ATTACKS CAN NOT BE EFFECTIVELY EXECUTED, AND THE OPERATIONS WHICH ARE BEING SO WIDELY HAILED IN THE PRESS ARE LARGELY ILLUSORY. DUE TO THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK THERE IS A DANGEROUS UNDER-CURRENT IN CERTAIN POWERFUL OFFICIAL CIRCLES WHICH DEPRECATES AMERICAN AND ENGLISH PRESTIGE AND OUR ABILITY TO WIN THIS WAR. THAT IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE IS EVEN BEING SAID BY SOME. (PART 3 WILL FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY) ACTION:00.... PERSONAL FILE..... |