Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/18844½

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray) to the Secretary of State

[Washington,] December 23, 1941.

Mr. Secretary: In response to your wish to obtain accurate information regarding the size of British forces in the Near and Middle East, I have obtained from the War Department the following data.

There are at present in Syria and Palestine 145,000 British troops under the command of General Wilson, in Iraq and Iran, 100,000 under the command of General Wavell. In all of North Africa, including Egypt and Libya, there are 377,000 troops under the command of General Richie. General Auchinleck is in supreme command of the troops in North Africa, as well as those in Syria and Palestine. The actual combat troops in Libya are stated to be no more than 100,000. The remaining forces comprise the service of supply, reserves, et cetera.

We yesterday telegraphed to our Legations in Baghdad and Tehran⁴¹ to obtain further information regarding British forces in that area.

I shall keep in touch with the War Department regarding this matter and if there is any further information available I shall communicate it to you without delay.

Wallace Murray

41. Telegrams Nos. 194 and 162, not printed.