740.0011 European War 1939/12214: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20—6 a.m.]
557. The French Air Attaché tells me that he has been informed by the Rumanian General Staff that the Russians have 70 divisions in Bessarabia and that these far outnumber the opposing German and Rumanian divisions in that region. He also said that in Rumanian military circles it was generally expected that the German attack on Russia would be launched on the morning of June 21 but that on account of the extremely wet weather which has persisted for the last week and still continues the attack might be adjourned 4 or 5 days.
I might add that extensive plans have been prepared by the Rumanian authorities for the evacuation of the Government and the foreign Diplomatic Corps in the event of war.