Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/7121: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State

Cairo, December 11, 1940—8 p.m.
[Received December 11—3:15 p.m.]

344. The British Ambassador told me this evening that General Wavell²² had just advised him that the British had captured Sidi Barrani.

The number of prisoners was at the time unknown but included three generals.

General Wavell had further informed the Ambassador that the Italians were fleeing and the British were in pursuit.

Fish

22. Gen. Sir Archibald P. Wavell, Commanding General of British Forces in the Middle East.