ARCTIC, DESERT AND TROPICAL BRANCH ARMY AIR FORCES TACTICAL CENTER [US]. Handbook of Coastal China including Hainan and Formosa. Informational Bulletin No. 19. [New York, Ardlee] for Headquarters, Army Air Forces, April, 1945 [cover title].
12mo. Original wrappers, printed in yellow and black; pp. [2], 84, [2, for notes], sketch maps in the text, one folding map at the end; front cover with a little abrasion and number in ink; overall a good and clean copy.
First edition, rare, of information for US soldiers on Eastern China and Taiwan. The booklet covers the topography, climate, natural history, soil conditions, a history of the peoples of the region, the 'social order', belief systems and customs, industry and commerce, transport and communications. Among the dos and don'ts for American soldiers about to liberate these parts of China from Japanese occupation is the advice 'Don't judge Chinese by their appearance (the Chinese have had hard times). Professors, students, government officals and professional men may look pretty seedy, but under the externals they are cultured persons' (p. 82).
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