859A.20/204: Telegram
The Minister to the Norwegian Government in Exile (Biddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:47 p.m.]
Norwegian Series No. 16. My 14, June 25, 5 p.m. Following is draft of suggested exchange of notes.
“I have the honor to signify my Government’s agreement to the following arrangements for regulating military relations between the armed forces of the United States and of Norway in Iceland.
Recognizing the advantages of preserving the principle of unity of command in Iceland, it is agreed that since the British forces in Northeast Iceland have been relieved by United States troops, the independent Norwegian company stationed at Akureyri, formerly under British command, shall be placed under the operational control of the Commanding General, United States Army Iceland base.
The Norwegian company shall be placed at the disposal of the United States Commanding General as a Norwegian training unit in winter warfare and for carrying out winter patrol missions in the Akureyri area. However, since the original purpose of the company was to serve as a depot for the Norwegian detachment garrisoning Jan May en Island, the United States Commanding General shall make use of the company in such a way that this purpose is fulfilled.
The Norwegian company in Iceland shall be furnished by the Norwegian Government with necessary clothing, equipment and weapons. However, special winter equipment shall be issued by the United States authorities to the extent that the United States commanding officer deems desirable. The United States authorities shall provide the company with rations, quarters and medical service, on the same scale as furnished American forces stationed in Iceland, and also effect repairs to clothes and equipment, insofar as facilities permit. The cost to the United States of all such equipment, supplies and services shall be refunded by the Norwegian Government, which shall also be responsible for the pay of Norwegian personnel. However, transportation essential for the employment of the company by United States military authorities shall be at the expense of the U. S.
The personnel of the Norwegian company shall continue to be subject to Norwegian civil and military jurisdiction and Norwegian disciplinary authority.
The Norwegian Government reserves to itself the right to withdraw this personnel, in whole or in part, if a situation would develop rendering advisable its detail to other tasks.
The foregoing arrangement shall enter into effect as of this date and shall remain in force until either party notifies the other of its desire to terminate or modify it.
Accept, et cetera.”
Foregoing reflects wishes of Norwegian authorities, British have also signified concurrence, it being understood detachment of Jan [Page 13] Mayen Island remains under British naval control, and draft is also satisfactory to United States Army headquarters here.
With regard to exclusion of Jan Mayen detachment from our operational control, pursuant to final paragraph of your 9, May 20, 9 p.m., I understand early in June General Bonesteel recommended its inclusion and that War Department has recently asked military headquarters here to submit a recommendation on the point. Although latter has not yet submitted its views it sees no objection to going ahead with suggested note.
Norwegian authorities state that in practice, arrangement is already largely in effect and they hope position may be regularized by suggested exchange on [of?] notes.