859A.20/2: Telegram
The Consul at Reykjavik (Kuniholm) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 24—6:50 p.m.]
Department’s July 19, 6 p.m., received today.8 Full report was sent to the Department some time ago. Please confirm receipt.
Total complement of troops in Iceland over 20,000. Forces consist of one division plus coast defense troops and small naval units. One brigade covers north from northwestern peninsula to Hofn with major concentration at Akureyri and smaller one at Seydisfjordur. Main [Page 682] divisional strength is around Reykjavik in west and south. Several fighter planes are at airfield north of Eyrarhakki. Motor transport, tanks and anti-aircraft recently augmented.
No naval vessels here now except armed trawlers. Attack feared daily. German forces in Norway believed to number 10 divisions and ready to move at any time.
German bomber sank fishing boat off east coast of Island on July 12.
- Not printed; it instructed the Consul to submit to the Department reports on the developments of the military situation in Iceland (859A.20/1a).↩