OSS in the C.B.I. – 1945
In the book, “A COVERT AFFAIR”, Jennet Conant follows the OSS detachments that operated in the CBI Theater. These members of the forerunner of the CIA included Elizabeth (Betty) MacDonald, her future husband Frederick MacIntosh, Julia McWilliams and her future husband Paul Child, and many others.
From time to time, the OSS teams would report armed clashes in the area (China) as local factions jockeyed for position, “The warlords were always shooting at each other,” recalled Betty, “But we never really felt scared. We had pretty good protection, and the Flying Tigers kept the Japanese at bay.”
Betty also reported, “the Chinese never followed the rules. Smuggling was a way of life. They brazenly peddle state secrets and are equally overt about trading everything from information to arms with the Japanese. Everything is for sale.”
Chiang’s people had to approve any proposed OSS operation. Paul Child said, “The warp and woof of war in China is complex beyond belief. The inner workings, the who-influences-who, the deals, the sleights of hand, the incredible chicaneries, the artistic venalities, the machinations and the briberies.
“Some facts are so incredibly romantic and sinister that only hearing hundreds of verbal reports from the mouths of horses themselves finally convinces me of the dreadful reality of the under-the-sea war – the war of back alleys, back rooms, big parties, magnificent whores and equally magnificent blackmails. It almost becomes the “real” war of which the news-war is only the surface expression.”
The chances for honest-to-God peace in China seemed almost impossible. Even with the European part of the war officially over, the action in the CBI seemed to be amplifying. Paul Child wrote home to his twin brother Charles in dismay, “Building up, plans for months ahead, materials and personnel being striven for and allocated, and anticipated dangers faced. Perhaps you will never know what it is to feel profoundly lonely. Well, you become empty, unbased and bereft.”
Click on images to enlarge.
#############################################################################################
Military Humor –
#############################################################################################
Farewell Salutes –
Elmer Brown – Orlando, FL; US Navy, WWII, Lt.Commander (Ret. 30 y.)
Arthur Kelm-Gelien (Tab Hunter) – San Francisco, CA; US Coast Guard, (actor)
Saman Kunan – Roi Et, THAI; Thai Navy SEAL, Cave rescue
Cidon Long – Anson, TX; US Army, WWII, homefront German POW guard
Joseph Maciel – South Gate, CA; US Army, Afghanistan, Cpl., 1/28/3rd Infantry Division, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, KIA
Helen Miller – St. Paul, MN; US Army WAC, WWII, ETO
George Ritter – Toledo, OH; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Robert Sutcliffe – Lynbrook, NY; US Navy, WWII
Deisel Tykeson – Ross, ND; US Army, WWII, PTO
Harrison Ward – Lenoir, NC; US Army, WWII, Bronze Star
#############################################################################################
PERSONAL NOTE: My internet was cut-off this morning, hence the late post and lack of visits to your sites. I will make every attempt this afternoon to correct this. I thank you in advance for your patience.
#############################################################################################
Posted on July 12, 2018, in Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 1940's, Asia, CBI, CIA, History, Intelligence, Military, Military History, OSS, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 112 Comments.
Never saw that photo of Julia Child before. A very unique moment in history.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the book, you sometimes wonder if they accomplished anything over there, they were a strange bunch. I understand a new book is out about Julia’s co-worker Elizabeth. I still have to grin at the idea of the wine bottle wheeling chef I watched as a kid was an actual spy married to a spy!!
LikeLike
Isn’t it unbelievable???!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, indeed!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Practically Historical.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this article.
LikeLike
Pragmatic people, the Chinese … in the Burma theatre Chinese soldiers would pin some dollars under their lapels before going into the field. The idea was that if wounded the stretcher bearers would feel under collars/lapels and first carry back those who’d paid the fare in advance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a new one on me. (But I don’t doubt it!!)
LikeLike
A very very pragmatic people, the Chinese. (We make a huge mistake when/if we judge them by our standards.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a chaotic and slippery life for the OSS, who would you trust?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, like any war. Smitty said it about the P.I., heard it about Korea and it was certainly true as well in Vietnam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very interesting book by the sounds of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not exactly what I was expecting, but it does hold a lot of information not preciously known to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated!!
LikeLike
Excellent article, I am going to reblog this article for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It is a part of the war very few know about.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
I know absolutely nothing about China. When did Chairman Mao come into all this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mao came into power in 1949, but he was quite active long before that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for bringing this book to our attention! I’m on a history read binge of late – bios of Jefferson and Jackson; a book on Berlin from the perspective of a Dutch writer living in East Berlin during, at the moment of the Wall’s fall, and after the Wall – and this title will slot in nicely with the next book on the reading list, one about the relationship of Churchill and Roosevelt before and during WWII. It’s on order now! (Amazon has it in various forms.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve read a lot of articles about Roosevelt/Churchill, and in various books. What is the name of the one you’re mentioning?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry – mouse problem – Anyway, it’s FRANKLIN AND WINSTON:AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF AN EPIC FRIENDSHIP by John Meacham. I’ve read others a long time ago, and decided I wanted to take a look an=t yet another view. We’ll see…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for coming back to let me know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ‘undercover war’ led to the creation of the CIA and the development of MI6 after 1945. Those experienced agents must have been able to offer so much good training for the later operatives, and the fact that many never revealed their pasts publicly says much for their integrity.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True all the way around, Pete. To the people surprised about Julia Child, I’ve been saying that the ones who don’t look for the accolades are the true heroes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like an interesting book…to think Julia Child was once a OSS operative!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I only just learned this fact about 7-8 years ago and I’ve been surprising people with that ever since! As far as I know, she never spoke about it in public, to me that makes her one of the real heroes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah. I heard she downplays things too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unless we know a person very well, we seldom realize all the trials and triumphs they have had in their lives. This certainly was a surprise with Julia Child.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To me, the real heroes are the ones who don’t expect accolades, they just do what they think is best.
LikeLike
Looks like a book for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but very interesting.
LikeLike
Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never watched her cooking show, but I’ve been interested in Julia Child since I saw the film “Julie and Julia.” I’d heard that she had engaged in some wartime “work,” but never have been clear on the details. This is a book I’d love to read — will read.
Is OSS the Office of Strategic Services? I think it must be. That kind of life is fascinating. I had a friend who was a Naval cryptographer — sailed around on an old tub disguised as a merchant ship, with the electronics and such hidden away in its guts. I’ve heard a couple of funny stories of shipboard life (e.g., frozen crabs coming unfrozen and running all over the deck while the U.S. Navy tried to corral them) but that’s it. Those guys knew how to keep their mouths shut.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think you’ll like the book. Paul wasn’t exactly attracted to Julia right off the bat, that’s for sure. And after they came home takes a turn for the Detachment. (I don’t want to give too much away).
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is another book you and GP might also enjoy reading, Peter Sichel’s “The Secrets of My Life: Vintner, Prisoner, Soldier, Spy “
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll put it on my Wish List, Lavinia, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate your help in sharing these stories, Dave.
LikeLike
I understand about internet. The books sounds interesting. It seems the whole world learned from China.
LikeLike
We finally learned about China, but from them – I don’t know. The book wasn’t exactly what I expected, but interesting nevertheless.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You help is always appreciated, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how it must have felt being there, gearing up to be there even longer, knowing that the war in Europe was over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I asked my father about that, he just shrugged and said it was good news, but it didn’t affect them unless it meant replacements and more materiel would be arriving.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see Saman Kunan saluted and remembered here after his sad loss in a heroic enterprise that ultimately succeeded because of courage like his.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is always sad to lose even one. Let’s hope he is not forgotten.
LikeLike
Digging into the history of the CIA and OSS has always been a topic of interest for me. I might have to check this out! 🙂 (Also, that jet propulsion cartoon got a nice belly laugh out of me)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa, I hit the double-header; the article AND a belly laugh! That sort of comment makes my day, MB, Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome! 🙂 I always enjoy your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That means a lot coming from another history buff!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 History Buffs unite!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now THAT’S a slogan I can march to!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since the OSS is of interest to you, you might like this story in the ETO.
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/wwii-spy-awarded-medal-of-honor.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=warhistoryonline&utm_content=%5BWar+History+Online%5D+Daily+Dispatches
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness – what a story! It always amazes me how humble these guys are too after everything they did. What an amazing guy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you found it interesting!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Denk dat het een fascinerend boek is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Es war nicht ganz das, was ich erwartet hatte, aber trotzdem interessant. Danke, Mary Lou.
LikeLike
Somehow we are still at odds with China so many years later—different issues, of course, but nevertheless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just watched a TV program (for the second time) about the terracotta army in China. Their history and culture I think has ingrained this sort of behavior in them. Sad, but they haven’t changed much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds fascinating- thanks for sharing. (Gasp! Our library has it too! It’s going on my list 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you like it. The author said the way the book turned out – surprised even her!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
When the book was released, I could not believe that it was the same Julia Child who was creating a big mess on her cooking show. You just never know what people did or could do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Especially THAT generation, Rose.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good old Julia. I can imagine her operating in China.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if that’s where she developed her taste for wine?!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll bet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it sounds like a great book –
LikeLiked by 1 person
It turned out a lot different than even the author imagined!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent Post! Please do more articles on OSS and SOE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that I know there’s an interest, I shall. Thanks for telling me.
LikeLike
Maybe you’d like this article on the OSS in the ETO?
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/wwii-spy-awarded-medal-of-honor.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=warhistoryonline&utm_content=%5BWar+History+Online%5D+Daily+Dispatches
LikeLike
Love your toons🤣👍You are right in that the Chinese do not follow rules…not if they can help it. Graft is rampant though these recent years it is not too blatant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess during the war they didn’t bother with discretion, eh?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely NOT 😄😉😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely fascinating!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you understand, Mike. i appreciate you stopping by here today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks good. I’m always amazed that there is still so much to learn about this time period. There was so much going on in a relatively short period of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean. And still, no matter how long I take on reporting a month – I am merely scanning over the actions, so many operations still going on and taking place on mini-islands , etc! It’s incredible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julia Child of cooking fame?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, you got it, Katie!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow. Amazing what you pick up along the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did I ever tell you my father’s old saying? “The day I stop learning, do me a favor and CLOSE the lid!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post ! I hope everything is back in order GP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It appears to be, Hollie, thank you. Now – it just takes time to read everyone else’s posts. I can’t enjoy it as much when I’m rushed and right now I have an appointment to get to too! Wouldn’t you know it!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It can be a bit overwhelming , relax and have a beautiful day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep hearing that old excuse about Life got in the way!! How true it is!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It surely does…it’s what happens when we have other plans as someone once said. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly!
LikeLike
Nice to see brave Saman Kunan in the list. The books sounds incredibly interesting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, he more than deserves to be remembered. It was almost a happy rescue.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh great! Another book I will now have to read. 😎
LikeLiked by 2 people
haha, you’re getting set for life, eh?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Might take two lives! So many books, so little time! 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure agree with you there, DC!!
LikeLike
Excellent post on a group that few Americans know….well done….chuq
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. It’s an interesting book. (Sometimes a little mushy, but very good).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will add it to my list to get after I finish the dozens I have left to read….LOL chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha, I definitely understand, my friend!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I put together lists and order books about 4 times a year….only way to do it or I would buy books and forget that I need to read them…LOL chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Understood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Ian.
LikeLike
Thank you for continuing to share the history, Ian.
LikeLike
Pingback: FEATURED BLOGGER REPORT: OSS in Kunming, China By Pacific Paratrooper #AceHistoryDesk reports | ' Ace Worldwide History '
Pingback: OSS in the C.B.I. – 1945 by //Pacific Paratrooper | ' Ace Worldwide History '