DIPLOMACY OF SECURITY: BEHIND THE NEGOTIATIONS OF ARTICLE 18 OF THE SINO-AMERICAN COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, THE

Cryptologia, Jan 2005 by Gladwin, Lee A

Asked about Miles' proposed Radio Intelligence (RI) unit, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek agreed "in principle" on three points, the details to be worked out between McHugh and China's "designated chief military intelligence" (Tai Li):

First, to bring specially trained operators and experts from USA for intercept work along coast.

Second, similar group to work with Chinese in Chungking area; this to include traffic analysis.

Third, permission to move our Foochow station to northern Kwangtung with foreign guerrilla group there for transmission agents information plus special work later if desired.

The attaché asked for advice on how to proceed with negotiations, noting the Chinese "expect full co-operation from us, plus free exchange of results."5

On 24 March 1942, an officer and a "radioman experienced in RI work" were ordered to be dispatched to join Miles in Bombay. Miles was en route to China and expected to arrive in Chungking about 16 April. Together, they would conduct a 'preliminary survey [in] connection [with] establishment [of] RI Unit China.".6 In a separate message to the naval attache in Chungking, Redman cautioned that agreement with the Chinese extended "only to exchange of results locally obtained."7

Additional personnel were sought from General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific (ComSoWesPac). Unfortunately, none could be spared as the Corregidor unit was about to be moved, and its personnel were essential to organizing a new unit in Australia. It was suggested that RI personnel be requested from the British in Colombo.8

The first RI contingent of one officer, Captain B. T. "Banks" Holcomb, USMC, Lt. D. William Heagy, Chief Radioman R. L. "Buck" Dormer, T. J. Wildman, C. P. "John" Taylor, brothers Lash H. Mann and Radioman 1st Class Kenneth A. Mann, and Yeoman 3rd Class T. J. O'Neill arrived in Chungking in September, 1942. Their arrival in CBI did not, however, go unremarked by the Japanese:

Positive evidence Japanese have learned existence and mission of Friendship [Naval Group, China] with respect to demolition and sabotage from Russian officials at Chungking though apparently without knowledge of latter. In view probability that any disclosures to Chinese will soon be known to Japanese and there by jeopardize entire Roger Int [Radio Intelligence] project in other areas, have instructed party now enroute China to be most guarded in disclosures to Chinese, especially with regard to Orange naval communications.9

By late summer, Edward Travis of British Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, GC&CS, was curious about "Friendship." British Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) in India were preparing to meet with a Chinese Major Ninaiping of a Chinese Y [intercept] -Unit "earmarked for service in India." The Chinese apparently informed them of the creation of a new 'Y unit in China," and the British wished to "pursue uniform policies in regard to information to be given the Chinese." British SIGINT representatives in India proposed "giving Ninaiping full local picture and also offer complete interchanging Y" and "select items of special intelligence [that] should be passed by Delhi to British Military Attache at Chungking for personal information [of] Chiang Kai-shek." Travis requested William F. Friedman, Head Cryptanalyst of Signal Intelligence Service, to offer his "views and also information of what instructions have been issued in respect to your Y units in China."10 Friedman replied that the "only United States Army Service we are cognizant of in China is possibly local intercept handled by Air Force units. We know of no cryptanalytic work except possibly on low grade material in which we recommend collaboration with Chinese."11