740.0011 European War 1939/12190: Telegram
The Minister in Finland (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:50 p.m.]
197. My telegram No. 195 yesterday.95 Finnish General Staff informs our Military Attaché that movement of German troops eastward in Rovaniemi area is confirmed, that number of troops amounts to 30,000 to 35,000 with fighter air planes and light tanks but no heavy artillery. In reply to query as to whether these movements mean war, Military Attaché was told that this depends on the Russians and that Russians have not appreciably increased their forces on Finnish [Page 37] frontier, which are estimated at 15 to 16 divisions. Finnish reservists continue to be called up.
Please advise War Department.
Repeated to Moscow.
- Not printed. A telephone call had been received at the Legation from the American Red Cross representative at Rovaniemi, who told of the movement of a large German force eastward in this area, which he characterized as “the kick-off.” (740.0011 European War 1939/12173)↩