740.0011 European War 1939/10916: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 14—12:35 p.m.]
1914. For the Secretary and the Under Secretary. My 1906, May 13, 8 p.m. Following is text of additional letter dated today received from Mr. Eden regarding situation in Syria:
“In continuation of my letter to you of yesterday’s date I write to let you know that we have now received from our Consul General at Beirut the following summary of the information which he has gathered from various sources regarding the passage of German aircraft through Syria.
On the 11th May, 3 Messerschmidts 110 with extra tanks for petrol landed at Rayak (halfway between Beirut and Damascus) and after refuelling left for Damascus or further.
[Page 709]Up to 14 German planes reached Damascus on the 11th and 12th May. These are said to include Messerschmidts and Heinkels 115 and 2 F. W. Condors. All these machines were painted with Iraqi colours.
All the planes have left Damascus except 2 Condors and 2 others.
The head of the Political Bureau at Beirut has admitted to our Consul General that some German planes painted over with Iraqi colours had reached Damascus. He added that the High Commissioner had sent a strong protest to Vichy and he suggested that as Marshal Pétain might have been kept in ignorance of what was happening in Syria, he should be personally informed by Admiral Leahy.
We hope you will recommend this to the State Department.”