740.0011 European War 1939/12022: Telegram

The Consul General at Beirut ( Engert ) to the Secretary of State

208. A pro-British French Government official, whom I have always found well informed, has just sent word to me to warn me that the Germans are definitely planning to occupy northern Syria in the immediate future. He believes they will use chiefly Aleppo aerodrome to land suddenly large numbers of troops, accompanied or followed by landings of troops and heavy material at Latakia by sea and that the whole movement will be covered by intensive bombing of British positions in Syria and British naval units off the coast. My informant fears that Syria will share the fate of Crete unless the British are able to take immediate possession of all landing fields and to capture or immobilize French-Army in Syria which is today far more anti-British than it was a week ago. He suggests a quick advance on Aleppo from Deir-ez-Zor and perhaps a landing near or at least a close watch on Latakia.

Please see in this connection my 186, June 3rd,4 and paragraphs 7 and 9 of my 200, June 9th. I personally entirely agree with the statements of my informant and feel that today speed is of the utmost importance. The longer this campaign lasts the more it will encourage the French to resist and tempt the Germans to participate.

Please repeat to London.

Engert
  1. Ante, p. 717.