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 1939/6176: Telegram

The Chargé in Italy (Reed) to the Secretary of State

Rome, October 21, 1940—9 p.m.
[Received 9:40 p.m.]

1001. Following information from excellent source believed correct:

“Invasion of Greece is planned for early morning October 25. Duce has given the order. Badoglio²⁹ strongly opposed this move on ground that British Fleet will seize bases in Greece from which to bomb oil fields in Rumania. Troops are being embarked at Bari and Brindisi.”

It is reported that four large passenger steamers left Trieste October 18 for Bari and Brindisi and it was inferred by Buffum³⁰ that attack on Greece would begin in near future.

Inform Navy Department that source of quoted information is Signor “X”.

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Reed

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29. Marshal Pietro Badoglio, Chief of Staff of the Italian Armed Forces.
30. David H. Buffum, Consul at Trieste.