Red China's Flying Hordes: American Perceptions of the Chinese Communist Air Force During the Taiwan Strait Crises, 1954-5 and 1958

摘要

During the 1950s tensions twice flared in the Taiwan Strait. From 1954 through 1955 and again in 1958 armed conflict between the People's Republic of China and the United States seemed imminent. During this period, Americans were troubled especially by the buildup and activity of the People's Liberation Army Air Force. Knowing whoever controlled the sky also controlled the surface, Eisenhower and his advisors kept an eye on the Chinese Communist air force. Many U.S. actions can be explained by examining what Americans, especially Eisenhower and his advisors, thought about the Chinese Communist air force. Ultimately, most Americans overestimated the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Air Force despite much evidence to suggest that the PLAAF was a poorly supplied and poorly trained air force. Americans overestimated the Chinese Communist air force primarily because of images and ideas regarding the Chinese present in American culture. In the process of interpreting events in the Taiwan Strait, these images and ideas led Americans to emphasize certain PLAAF capabilities, to assume the PLAAF had capabilities that it had not demonstrated, and to downplay or dismiss any weaknesses present in the Chinese Communist armed forces. This study provides insight into American actions during the Taiwan Strait Crises. It also provides insight into how culture affects the process of interpreting intelligence.