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Report of the Military Attaché in France (Fuller)
At a lunch with the German Military Attaché and one of the First Secretaries of the German Embassy, the following information was obtained:
1. The German Military Attaché estimated that at the present moment there were between 40,000 and 50,000 Italians with General Franco’s Army and about 30,000 Germans. He stated that the Italians [Page 248] and Germans handled the supply system for the White Army and that German and Italian transportation was exclusively used.
He believed that General Franco now had sufficient men, supplies and transportation to overcome all resistance and would win in the near future. He also stated that the food shortage was becoming acute on the Red side and but little, if any, was being received through the ports. He stated that the blockade of the ports was now very effective.
2. The German Military Attaché again stated that the German planes and tanks sent to Spain were somewhat of a disappointment. He also said that their pilots were insufficiently trained and that it would require many months to bring them up to a state of reasonable efficiency.
3. When questioned about Germany’s aims with respect to the return of her colonies, the First Secretary stated that it was more for reasons of prestige than one of economics, although the latter was very important. The Military Attaché intimated, without making a positive statement, that the General Staff now felt that colonies that could not be defended were a liability and not an asset. That none of the colonies that belonged to Germany before the war were of value as England would always be between Germany and those colonies.
Lt. Colonel, F. A.