The US Army Observer Group in Yan an (Part 4)  

cctv.com 09-20-2005 14:45

During the Second World War, the American military had contact with both the Chinese Nationalist and Communist Parties. The American Observer Group stationed in Yan鈥檃n was the American government鈥檚 only link to the Chinese Communist Party. Originally founded by General Stilwell, the group was now under the authority of Patrick Hurley. While the observers were sympathetic to the Communist鈥檚 aims, Hurley was firmly pro-Nationalist. The CPC needed to find a more sympathetic high-ranking contact in the American military. Someone from the observer group was needed to open up direct links without Hurley鈥檚 knowledge.

By circumventing Patrick Hurley, the CPC and the observer group were able to keep the possibilities of military cooperation open. The Nationalists were anxious to maintain their privileged access to American military aid and their position as the only political party recognized by the American government. Hurley would certainly have blocked any moves to broaden contact with the CPC. Although it seemed that relations with the CPC were improving, any celebrations would be short lived.

American observers in China were not on active combat duty. Their task was to conduct investigations in various areas and gather intelligence. Although only one member was lost, this had a profound effect on the small group of observers. Tomorrow, we conclude our five part series on the US observer group in Yan鈥檃n. With Japan鈥檚 unconditional surrender in 1945, there was no military need to keep observers in the Communist base. The end of world war two saw fighting between the Nationalist and Communist parties escalate to civil war. In the United States, the observers reported back to a hostile Pentagon, which largely ignored their assessment of the situation.

Editor:Liu  Source:CCTV.com