Office of the Historian

868.20 Missions/12–1747: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Douglas) to the Secretary of State

secret
us urgent
London, December 17, 1947—6 p. m.

6525. For Lovett from the Ambassador. Discussed this morning with Alexander collaboration between US-UK military missions in Greece. Later joined by Lt, General Hellis, Chief Staff officer. (Athens 130, December 3, repeated Department as 2086; Deptel 5213, December 11; Embtel 6464, December 13).

1.
Explained to Alexander that we view the work of the British military missions to be of great importance and their retention of utmost significance, and emphasized that we view the closest collaboration between US and British military missions as necessary to the successful outcome of our joint responsibility in Greece.
Also explained to him, along lines of telegrams referred to, our alternative view of effecting this collaboration.
2.
Alexander said positively there was no question of withdrawal of British military missions from Greece. They will be retained.
3.
As to other points, Alexander’s position, subject to discussion with Bevin and confirmation British Chiefs of Staff, was as follows:
(a)
The British naval mission in Greece has a long history extending over some forty years. He therefore doubts the wisdom of any formal coordination of the British naval mission with US, and I should add, parenthetically, that he has the same view about air force. Conolly1 here, however, and the First Sea Lord will, in the future as they have in the past, work in closest consultation and cooperation including servicing and fueling of US vessels in Greek waters. Tedder for Air the same.
(b)
As to the army military missions, Alexander reluctant to agree to complete integration. In view of possible difficulties in House of Commons should Bevin, in response to a question, be compelled truthfully to reply that British Army mission was giving operational advice, he sees objections to instructing British Army mission to do so.
(c)
He views favorably the proposition of an integrated planning staff with the US Army mission undertaking to give operational advice and to direct supply matters, while the British would be responsible for training.
He also believes there should be a complete consultation on all other matters and a full exchange of views and information, recognizing, of course, that the US military mission must be free, independently to give such advice as it considers necessary to the Greek Government.
(d)
Subject to further discussion with British Joint Chiefs of Staff (Tedder is now ill) and clearance with Bevin, Alexander is of the view that the details, along the lines outlined above, should be worked out by the Combined Chiefs in Washington and a directive issued to the two missions in Greece.
4.
Since I am leaving for Washington tomorrow afternoon before discussions and clearance referred to in (d) above can have been had, Bevin will communicate through Inverchapel.
Douglas
  1. Adm. Richard L. Conolly, Commander, United States Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; at this time Naval Adviser to the United States Delegation at the Fifth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.↩