Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/11744: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut (Engert) to the Secretary of State
Beirut, June 7, 1941—6 p.m.
[Received June 8—10:30 a.m.]

197. My 195, June 6, and 196, June 7. General Jannekeyn, commanding French Air Force, sent an officer to assure me that the only serviceable German airplanes now in Syria were 2 troop carrying planes and 1 Messerschmidt 110 at Aleppo and they were expected to leave today or tomorrow. The following airdromes contain badly damaged German planes:

  • Palmyra 2 Heinkels 111, 1 Messerschmidt 110.
  • Aleppo 2 troop carrying planes.
  • Damascus 1 fighter plane.
  • Nothing at Rayak.

The General suggested that a representative from this Consulate General verify these statements by inspecting the flying fields. I am, of course, not accepting the offer as it would force us into the position of testifying against possible British claims.

Engert