740.0011 European War 1939/8664: Telegram
The Minister in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 28—12:50 a.m.]
106. Department’s 69, February 25. The King has given me the following information begging me to keep it absolutely secret which I have promised to do.
Wavell, Dill and Eden did come to Greece last Saturday but Greece is not admitting it and very few in the Government know it. They are expected to come again after visiting Turkey and this time their arrival will be open but treated by the Greeks as if only recently decided on. The reason for this caution of course is the situation vis-à-vis Germany and the fact that the British trio did talk military plans here preparatory to similar discussions in Ankara. The British plans at present so far as Greece is concerned include the sending of not more than 3 divisions, and these from Egypt, not Crete, where the King estimates British strength as only about 2 infantry regiments plus accessories. A part of the forces promised are already en route to the Piraeus and will be called here auxiliary to the air force in case Germany inquires.
The King confirmed that Greek caution regarding the sending of British troops to Salonika continues but gave the added reason that in the present state of uncertainty regarding Yugoslavia any military concentration at that point would be folly. He said the Greek defensive [Page 651] line on the northern border is designed to hold against Bulgaria but cannot be expected to withstand German attack. An alternative position just north and east of Salonika running approximately from Lake Doiran to Amphipolis might be considered if the Yugoslav Army could be counted on to protect the northern end where a lightning operation would be feasible for strong forces. But while the Yugoslavs have informed Greece that they consider Salonika in their zone of vital interest and it is possible that they might intervene for that reason such information is not definite enough to serve as a basis for military preparations. Unless and until active Yugoslav cooperation is certain therefore Salonika must be regarded as lost in case of German attack and the Greeks are now considering the defense of the ranges west of the Vardar plain where a mountain barrier extends continuously from the sea to the Yugoslav border.