S E C R E T immediately practicable, due to the added facilities available at the western terminus, and the existence of more favorable operating conditions. c. Current plans for the air transport route to CHINA con- template that its present capacity of approximately 3,000 tons per month may be expanded to approximately 10,000 tons per month by the end of 1943. Due to physical limitations imposed by the area in which this line operates, it is doubt- ful whether this latter figure can be exceeded until ANAKIM or a Revised ANAKIM has been accomplished. d. The Commanding General, 14th Air Force, estimates that the forces required to conduct planned combat operations in CHINA are as follows: 4 Fighter Groups 300 airplanes 2 Medium Bomber Groups 114 " 1 Heavy Bomber Group 35 " 1 Reconn. Squadron 24 " TOTAL 473 airplanes e. The Commanding General, 14th Air Force, estimates that this force can be operated on a monthly supply of 7,128 tons. This is only possible by cutting the ground echelon T/0 approximately in half and utilizing local sources of supply to the utmost. f. It is believed that the operation of this force will accomplish the following objectives. (1) Subject the Japanese Air Force to a very costly attrition. (2) Permit sustained and damaging attacks against Japanese shipping on the YANGTSE RIVER, along the CHINA coast, and out to sea to include all of the islands of FORMOSA and HAINAN and the sea lane between JAPAN and SHANGHAI. (3) Permit damaging air attack on Japanese industrial targets as far north as SHAN-HAI-KWAN and east to include NANKING, SHANGHAI, and the island of FORMOSA. - 5 - |