Office of the Historian

841.248/930: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

Cairo, June 25, 1941—7 p.m.
[Received June 28—3:35 p.m.]

822. Personal for Hopkins from Harriman. British plans for reorganization here recommend in cable to Prime Minister appointment of senior officer to coordinate and pontrol supply for three services, including transport and maintenance facilities, etc. If approved we will be asked to have here man to deal with this officer and a committee working with him from three services and War Transport Ministry. He can be either competent civilian or high ranking officer.

This set-up would give opportunity to insure better handling of American equipment and as we have increasing investment this area I would strongly recommend complying with request if made. Although I do not suggest representatives of our services and Maritime Commission should report to this man, he should be senior in standing and available to help them get results and also coordinate their activities.

Robinson, representative of Maritime Commission, I like and he is considered competent, but naturally his effectiveness on major matters is limited because he is a British subject.

The Army should have a representative charged with responsibility to cooperate with British in use and maintenance of American equipment separate from normal function of Military Attaché. Consider Lieutenant Colonel E. W. Piburn now observer here thoroughly competent to fill this position.

General Royce’s21a comments on Air Corps representatives follows which please pass on to General Arnold:22

“It is believed that insufficient officers of Air Corps are now in Egypt. Captain Perrin is now performing normal intelligence work with air force agencies and gives practically no time to maintenance activities. Major Duke is engaged in making a survey in the Egyptian Army. Two junior officers Meng and Momyer are trying to be [Page 281] of some help to R. A. F. units erecting American aircraft. No officers here of sufficient rank properly to contact the higher R. A. F. officers and no one who has any direct communication with you except through M. I. D.23 Loss of Brower,24 who did a great work here, is very much felt and he should be replaced by an officer of similar ability as soon as possible. Also recommended that at least two officers of bombardment, pursuit, observation and maintenance be sent as additional observers who may also help with American equipment.”

I know Air Marshal Tedder25 would greatly appreciate acceptance Royce’s recommendations.

Please discuss substance this cable and advise reactions and if acceptable in principle whether it should be carried out in form of a special Lend-Lease mission or a set-up similar to line in London or through strengthening the service attachés’ offices and expanding their duties. [Harriman.]

Kirk
  1. Presumably Gen. Ralph Royce, Assistant Military Attaché American Embassy, London.↩
  2. Maj. Gen. H. H. Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces.↩
  3. Military Intelligence Division.↩
  4. Col. Gerald E. Brower, former air observer and Assistant Military Attaché in Egypt, who was killed at El Obeid, April 20, 1941.↩
  5. Air Marshal Arthur W. Tedder, commanding the Royal Air Force in the Middle East.↩