852.00/3918: Telegram
The Consul at Seville (Bay) to the Acting Secretary of State
15. Knickerbocker, Universal newspaper correspondent, arrived in Seville yesterday from Madrid front to rest. He is extremely pessimistic of Franco’s position and states that troops are becoming spiritless. Madrid, he adds, could have been taken the first day but that Franco was misinformed and delayed entrance into the capital for artillery preparation. Knickerbocker is visibly worn and should be ordered away for a brief respite in order to prevent break-up.
With Knickerbocker came Captain Ronald Strunk said to be chief agent of Hitler in Spain. He confirms that Franco could have captured Madrid first day and states that owing to the present situation he informed Franco that he must accept German direction of the campaign else Germany would withdraw its material. Franco accepted. Accordingly, he added, 5000 Germans mostly aviation service [Page 583] have arrived in Seville, 2500 having been also landed in Vigo. There is a staff of 80 German officers already here. These troops he said would remain in Seville to prepare a base for Franco’s forces, police the rear and assure communications with Morocco.
No troops will be sent into the fighting line for the time being. An advanced line, he said, will be prepared behind which Franco’s army may fall and reform in case it is routed. From that line the Nationalists will be provided with equipment and supplies which hitherto have been dissipated or abused before reaching the front. One hundred planes will soon be ready according to the captain. These I understand are now being assembled in Seville.
Franco will then be expected to attack and to take Madrid. If he too fails Strunk says Germany will have to finish the job. He has recommended to Hitler that one division of troops will be sufficient for this purpose. These troops he states can reach Spain 5 days after being summoned.
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