740.00112 European War 1939/7362
The Commanding General, Services of Supply (Somervell), to the Acting Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Atherton)
My Dear Mr. Atherton: I understand that the staff representing the various interested government agencies which will assist Mr. [Page 463] Murphy in North Africa is being assembled and will be sent to North Africa at an early date. I would like to suggest that the original group be limited to such representatives as the State Department may desire to send as its own representatives and not more than one key representative from the other government agencies. I think in this way a survey can be undertaken promptly when the staff arrives in North Africa to develop the further staff needs with less of a drain on transportation than would be represented by sending a large staff prior to this survey being made on the ground.
I would appreciate your views with respect to restricting the size of this first group. It would also be helpful if you would let us have the names of the representatives of the various agencies to be in this group.
Sincerely yours,
Lieutenant General