868.24/135: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Greece (MacVeagh)
152. Your 187, April 7, 1 p.m. The American authorities charged with the execution of the Lend-Lease Act have suggested the following reply to your telegram under reference:
“Sixty (60) 155 mm. howitzers and 49,000 rounds for them have been released. Thirty thousand (30,000) rounds are enroute for guns already in Greece. Howitzers and 19,000 rounds remain to be shipped and are awaiting transportation. Local Greek authorities are more anxious to get the ammunition than the guns and seem to be willing to wait until they can be hi-speeded.
Five thousand (5,000) rounds of 105 mm. howitzer ammunition are released for Yugoslavia, which in view of the present military situation may never reach that country and could be diverted to Greece. As furnished, these shells must be modified and the charges reestablished for the Schneider Model 1919 guns in Greece. We have no guns of this type.
As to the 81 mm. mortar shell (complete rounds), we can furnish none; at the present time. It is understood that 20,000 are en route (sailed February 8), and the information is correct that 70,000 were lost in a ship that never reached Capetown. Study is being made to [Page 714] determine whether some machined bodies and fin assemblies can be obtained in the near future. The Greeks say that they can complete the round if they can get these components.”
[The German invasion and occupation of Greece (see infra) ended consideration of military assistance.]