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.
 
 
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