740.0011 European War
1039/11600
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Near
Eastern Affairs (Murray)82
[Washington,] May 21,
1941.
Attached hereto is a memorandum of a conversation83 held in Mr. Acheson’s office a few
days ago with M. Marjolin, until recently an official of the French
Moroccan Government.
[Page 343]
In this conversation M. Marjolin gave his estimate of the reaction of
the French naval and military authorities to American or British
military intervention in North Africa.
In connection with the whole question of North Africa, it will be
recalled that a month ago an agent of MID84 in that
territory furnished us with information as to the help which the
French forces in North Africa would require from the United States
in order to make that territory safe from invasion. These
requirements are summarized in the attached list.
[Annex]
Estimate of Assistance Required From the
United States by the French Forces in North Africa
[Washington,] May 21,
1941.
Group One:
- 4 armored divisions
- 4 motorized divisions, with following material:
- 250 armored machine-gun cars
- 250 medium tanks
- 500 light tanks
- 2,300 special vehicles, including armored
tractors, radio cars, et cetera
- 800 antitank guns
- 350 antiaircraft guns
- 3,200 trucks
- 3,600 motorcycles
Group Two:
- For modernization of existing units
- 900 antitank guns
- 500 antiaircraft guns
- 400 machine-gun cars
- Large numbers of automatic rifles, pistols and
land mines.
Group Three:
- Antiaircraft equipment for bases:
[Page 344]
Group Four:
- Air force:
- 200 transport planes
- 200 fighters
- 200 bombers
- All of above complete with personnel.
- 300 fighters
- 300 bombers, without personnel.
Group Five:
- Personnel:
- armored corps 24,000 men
- 2,000 antiaircraft personnel
- 2,000 mechanics
- 6,000 aircraft personnel
- 2,000 miscellaneous personnel
It was the opinion of French military informants that aviation
material and fuel should be shipped immediately for assembly at
Freetown, Bathurst, Liberia, or the Gold Coast.
