THE WHITE HOUSE
            WASHINGTON
 
 
February 4, 1942
 
His Excellency
The Right Honorable
The Viscount Halifax, K.G.
British Ambassador
 
My dear Mr. Ambassador:
 
              In connection with your note of January 30th, covering withdrawal of American
Volunteer Group to China after January 31st, you are informed that agreement was reached by
the Combined Chiefs of Staff to make proper representation to Chiang Kai-shek to hold this
Group in the Burma area until the arrival of the Hurricane airplane units from England. This we
understand will be about the 15th or 20th of February.
 
              It must be borne in mind in connection with this movement, however, that the present
strength of this Group is only 20 planes and by the 15th or 20th of February they will probably be
reduced to 5 or lO, a number which will not provide very much protection. The reinforcements
now scheduled to this Group cannot possibly reach them until the latter part of February at the
earliest.
 
Very sincerely yours,