740.0011 European War 1939/8940: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 11—2:30 p.m.]
934. For the Secretary of the Navy from Colonel Donovan. Britain has decided to go in and aid Greece. The number of units I think I had better not set down. The decision (which Wavell told me in Cairo) is a daring one approved by the full Cabinet on Friday after all the dangers were considered including risk of being driven out. Wavell’s view was upheld by Eden and Dill although it was stressed, as you were advised from Cairo, that the great difficulty both in landing and supply was shipping. Turkey will defend but not take the offensive. [Donovan.]