740.0011 European War 1939/16780: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:13 p.m.]
1961. The British Ambassador has informed me that in the opinion of General Mason-McFarlane32 the fall of Kerch33 may open the way for a sudden and successful German advance into the north Caucasus area. Should such an advance take place it would not be unlikely that the Germans would gain control of certain oil fields, notably those at Maikop, before they could be rendered unworkable. For this reason Cripps is of the opinion that the time has arrived to urge the Soviet authorities to take preparatory measures for the complete destruction of the oil wells and industrial equipment in that area and to give the Soviet Government assurances with respect to the supply of its oil requirements during the course of hostilities and assistance in the post war reconstruction of the fields and industrial equipment. He has accordingly requested an interview with Vyshinski for this evening at which time he will deliver to him an aide-mémoire containing assurances similar to those which this Embassy has been authorized to give by the Department’s instruction 1103, September 30, 7 p.m.
The British Ambassador has strongly urged me to take similar action this evening. I have agreed to do so as an act of cooperation and in order to obviate the considerable delay which would result from an attempt to consult the Department beforehand.