Cable No. 25187, Mao Zedong to Cde. Filippov [Stalin]

[Handwritten at the top: [reply]] of 13.XI[SIC].51[to]] N66[1]6/3940shs]

SECOND MAIN DIRECTORATE OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SOVIET ARMY

CABLE Nº 25187

Copies to Cde. Stalin

to Cde. Stalin

to Cde. Molotov

to Cde. Beria

to Cde. Kaganovich

to Cde. Bulganin

from [BEIJING] received at 1940 24 October 1951

Copy Nº 2

[Stamp: SUBJECT TO RETURN

to the IV Unit OS VKP(b) CC

[Incoming]] 862/9672shs 24 October 1951]

Series G T.

to Cde. FILIPPOV

1. At the present time the main efforts of enemy aircraft in Korea have been directed at the destruction of the lines of communication of our forces.

The air unit led by General Lobov and the Chinese air units have achieved greatsuccesses in the air battles which have been fought. The anti-aircraft units of the Soviet Union and China have also achieved good results in directing anti-aircraft fire. They are playing a great role in protecting the lines of communication. However, the strength of our forces is insufficient and they cannot secure communications traffic more reliably, therefore I am asking you to study the possibility of the Government of the Soviet Union sending one more three-regiment anti-aircraft division to North Korea to reinforce the air defense of rail shipments and the airfield network in the area of [Ansyu].

2. The majority of Chinese air units which have completed combat training are concentrated in northeast China to prepare to take part in combat operations in Korea, and therefore the air defense equipment in the interior of China is insufficient. In addition, 463 YaK-11 pilots will complete training in Chinese aviation schools in November- December 1951.

According to the plan you earlier indicated it is intended to form three MIG-9 fighter divisions, one TU-2 bomber division, one IL-10 ground attack division, two LA-11 reconnaissance regiments, one LA-9 fighter regiment, and one LI-2 transport regiment.

Considering the current state of our Air Force the Chinese comrades will not be able themselves to cope with the task of training personnel to become proficient in combat aircraft within the periods desired by 15 March 1952, after the formation of the above divisions and regiments. Therefore I request the Government of the Soviet Union give the following aid:

1. Send three jet fighter divisions and three air maintenance battalions to China with equipment to train three Chinese IAD [fighter aviation division] and six MIG-9 air maintenance support detachments, and also to reinforce the air defenses of the [Beijing], Shanghai, and Canton regions.

2. Send the personnel to China of one regiment (without materiel) and one air maintenance battalion with equipment to train two Chinese reconnaissance regiments and two LA-11 air technical maintenance detachments.

3. Send the personnel to China of one regiment (without materiel) and one air maintenance battalion with equipment to train one Chinese ShAD [ground attack division] and two IL-10 air technical maintenance detachments.

4. The Chinese Air Force will be able to cope with the formation and training of one TU-2 BAD [bomber aviation division], one LA-9 IAP [fighter aviation regiment], and one LI-2 transport regiment themselves, however I request that 14 advisers be sent for the bomber division and five advisers for the LA-9 fighter regiment by December 1951.

With your permission, the remaining advisers will be selected from the divisions and regiments which are being trained.

Please report your decision about the above questions. Greetings.

MAO ZEDONG

Nº 5281

24 October 1951

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Deciphered by Prokop'yev 2050 24 October

Nine copies sent. Copies NºNº 7, 8, and 9 to the 8th Department

Printed by Shcherbakov 2200 24 October

Nº 3016

Verified: Section Chief

Colonel [signature]  (Makarov)