740.0011 European War 1939/31512: Telegram
The Consul General at Algiers (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:58 p.m.]
1741. From Murphy. According to latest advices from Brindisi, Italy will declare war against Germany at 1600 a hours October 13.
It was originally understood that the declaration would be made by the King but at the last moment the latter expressed a strong preference to have Badoglio make the declaration for constitutional reasons. The proclamation will be supplemented by a press conference to be held by Badoglio at the above mentioned hour.
Badoglio’s communication to General Eisenhower informing him of the declaration of war reads as follows:
“October 11, 1943.
General Eisenhower. I take great pleasure in informing you that His Majesty the King of Italy has declared war on Germany; the declaration will be handed by our Ambassador in Madrid to the German Ambassador on October 13 at 15 Greenwich time, by this act all ties with the dreadful past are broken and my Government will be proud to be able to march with you on to the inevitable victory.
Will you be good enough my dear General to communicate the foregoing to the Anglo-American, Russian and other United Nations Governments. I shall also be grateful if you will be kind enough to inform the Italian Embassies in Ankara and Buenos Aires and the Legations in Bern, Stockholm, Dublin and Lisbon.”
Repeated to London, Madrid, Lisbon. [Murphy.]