740.0011 European War 1939/11750: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:10 p.m.]
670. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. My 663, June 6, 10 a.m. I have just been informed by highest aviation authorities here that greatest contribution that the United States could now make towards successful prosecution of the war would be immediate delivery by air direct or via carriers of bomber and fighter planes to the west coast of Africa for use there as well as at points further east and that such a delivery within 2 or 3 weeks might well prove crucial to the British stand in this area.
I am told that a matter of great but secondary importance is the transport by air of experts from airplane works in the United States to assist in the assembling and conditioning of American planes already delivered to RAF Middle East or to arrive.