740.0011 European War 1939/10918: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:46 p.m.]
141. My telegram No. 139, May 12, 4 p.m. Altogether at least 15 German planes have so far arrived in Syria of which 3 Messerschmidts 110 have been identified at Rayak landing field, 4 Condor troop carrying planes and 4 Heinkel 115 bombers at Damascus and three Junkers at Aleppo. All are painted with Iraq colors of which the green is probably intentionally made to look so bluish as to look like French colors. Most of them are believed to have come via Rhodes.
When I asked the Director of Political Affairs whether there was any basis for the rumors regarding German planes he only admitted that three had arrived at Aleppo “because they had been obliged to make forced landing” and denied knowing anything about others. It was obvious that he was not telling the truth.
The High Commissioner is in Damascus and I shall see him tomorrow.
Repeated to Vichy.