740.0011 European War 1939/17883: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 23—12:39 p.m.]
1999. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. My 1948, December 12, 5 p.m. The protracted process of liquidating the situation in Cyrenaica has given rise to the conjecture that the occasion is thereby afforded for a possible counter-move on the part of the Axis in the Mediterranean and Middle East areas and in so far as this particular theater is concerned the view is being expressed that the most plausible form which any such move might take would be a mass air attack supported by naval units based from Axis territories in the Mediterranean. In this view the intent would be disorganize and paralyze the British force in Egypt and so contrive a victory of both practical and psychological importance.
From information available here there is nothing tangible to show that such a move is in preparation. Reports are circulating that Nazi air units have been withdrawn from the Russian front and it is said that extensive ground organizations are being prepared in Italy and adjacent territories to receive increased air force at a moment’s notice. Furthermore within the past few days attacks have been made by [Page 298] stealth on four British naval vessels including two battleships in the harbor of Alexandria which were carried out by members of the crews of Axis submarines operating offshore and which have been interpreted as preliminary to more extensive operations against that port.
The foregoing considerations have created a certain impression on a limited number of ranking officials in Cairo and it has even been suggested that air and naval operations against Egypt might well be initiated by Hitler in the immediate future while the British forces are occupied in Cyrenaica.
It is only in London that the complete evaluation of any such contingency may be obtained. I urge therefore that inquiries be made there to ascertain if from information available or obtainable that contingency may be excluded and if not that all possible steps be taken to reinforce the air arm in this theater in preparation to meet whatever assaults may be in prospect.