Defense Files
The Chief of Staff, United States Army (Marshall) to the President 1
Memorandum for the President:
Subject: North Africa.
Assumption: The French will invite the United States and Great Britain jointly to occupy and defend North Africa.
U. S. Forces
The United States is prepared to embark the following forces for movement to Casablanca:
- a.
- One Marine Division, combat loaded (11,000 men). Shipping is immediately available to move ⅔ of the division on 10 days’ notice. Shipping will be available for the entire division on or about January 15.
- b.
- Two pursuit groups (160 planes) one light bombardment group (57 planes) and one medium bombardment group (57 planes), (12,000 men). Units will be equipped by January 15 and can be ready to embark ten days thereafter. Twenty days will be required to collect and prepare the necessary commercial shipping after the decision to do so is made.
- c.
- One Infantry Division, reinforced (21,000 men). Units can be ready to embark on ten days’ notice. Twenty days’ will be required to collect and prepare the necessary commercial shipping.
- d.
- One armored division (13,000 men). The Division will be supplied with the necessary ammunition (37 mm and .50 caliber in particular), by February 15. Ships utilized for Marine division should be available for the armored division 45 days from date of initial sailing. Units can be ready to embark on ten days’ notice after February 15.
The antiaircraft units are to be supplied by the British.
The U. S. Army is prepared to reinforce the foregoing initial contingent with air and ground forces to the extent necessary to maintain its position in North Africa against probable Axis attack. Adequate U. S. antiaircraft defense cannot be provided prior to July.
If the above operation is ordered, shipping will not be available for other overseas movement in the Atlantic.