867.24/209a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Turkey (Kelley)
237. Prior to September 1 the following Lend-Lease supplies were shipped to Turkey: Fifty 155 millimeter Howitzers and related parts, 50 limbers for foregoing, 50 tractors for hauling foregoing, 18,500 complete shells for foregoing, 200 large trucks. (190 of these trucks are understood to be still in transit although they were shipped in June.)
Between September 1 and December 10 the following Lend-Lease supplies were shipped to Turkey on vessels and dates named: 1500 sledge hammers, Buchanan September 6; 5 tons trisodium phosphate, Exton October 1; 11 reels mooring cable, West Celina September 6; 420 tires and 420 tubes, Windrush October 6; 760 tons reinforcing steel bars, Essylt November 3; 1160 tons steel bars, Montanan November 11; 990 tons steel bars, Jeff Davis November 18; 290 tons steel bars, Michael Livanos November 18.
Between November 27 and December 17 additional Lend-Lease supplies for Turkey were transferred to the British Government for retransfer to Turkey, and are now being shipped or awaiting shipment. Included are 300 tons ferrosilicon, 10 tons ferrotungsten, 4 tons chrome nickel steel, 85 tons tungsten bars, 10 tons cobalt bars, 17 tons carbon die steel, 10 tons chrome bullet steel, 1½ tons tool steel, 1 ton cast tips, 200 oxygen cylinders, 110 micrometers, 2520 grinding stones, 9325 Emery stones, 15 tons aluminus oxide abrasive, and various army hospital supplies.
[Page 935]On December 16 the Turkish Ambassador in Washington submitted to the Lend-Lease office a considerable list of the most urgent further requirements of Turkish Ministry of National Defense with request that they be furnished under Lend-Lease as soon as possible. This is first instance that Turkish Ambassador has presented a request direct to us for Lend-Lease aid. List includes 72 field guns, 75 millimeters, with 108,000 rounds ammunition; 36 pack Howitzers, 75 millimeters, with 54,000 rounds ammunition; 22 pack Howitzers, 105 millimeters, with tractors and 54,000 rounds ammunition; 15,000 rounds ammunition for 155 millimeter Howitzers, 910 anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns, 20 millimeters, with 21,300,000 rounds ammunition; 225 light tanks M/3 with 36,000,000 rounds machine gun ammunition and 341,000 rounds gun ammunition; 9,200 machine guns, 30 calibre, with 250,000,000 rounds ammunition; 9,000 Thompson submachine guns with 90,000,000 rounds ammunition; 540 anti-tank guns, 37 millimeter, with 540,000 rounds ammunition; 700 trucks 2½ tons; 432 pick-up trucks ½ ton; 300 trucks ½ ton; 500 ambulances; 50 watertank trucks; 75 gasoline tank trucks; 50 portable repair trucks, 2½ tons.
Although Department has no indication when supplying of above can be completed, program of aid to Turkey is going forward steadily, with prospects of shipping situation improving.
You and Military Attaché may make discreet use of this information with appropriate Turkish authorities.