893.248/282

The Chargé in China (Atcheson) to the Secretary of State

No. 1495

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of despatch no. 116, August 11, 1943,24 from the Embassy officer at Chengtu, on the subject of the skill of Chinese aircraft repair crews.

Mr. Smith reports that, according to two American technical representatives with the U. S. Army who recently visited Chengtu, Chinese aircraft repair crews display considerable mechanical skill and have benefitted greatly from the basic mechanical training given them by Russian advisers during the past five years. The American experts consider that these crews are capable of servicing American aircraft and are convinced that the development of civil aviation in China after the war will not be handicapped by the lack of trained and capable mechanics.

Respectfully yours,

George Atcheson, Jr.
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