Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/23576: Telegram

The Minister in Iran (Dreyfus) to the Secretary of State

Tehran, August 18, 1942—noon.
[Received August 18—11:50 a.m.]

264. Personal for the President only from Harriman.27

“The last meeting of the Prime Minister with Stalin when they met alone made deep and favorable impression on Prime Minister. He is cabling you today from Cairo.28

I have stopped off at Tehran to see something of the railroad and Persian Gulf ports. There will be a discussion later this week in Cairo to decide what should be done. I am urging that capacity of railroad be substantially increased which both British and American engineers agree is entirely feasible providing more and better operating personnel and somewhat more equipment are made available.

There are two matters of supply to Russia that deserve, I believe, immediate attention. Stalin emphasized to both Prime Minister and myself that trucks were of equally critical need as even tanks. He says he can make good use of 20,000 a month. Although shipment of that total is impossible the Prime Minister hopes that every effort will be made to ship maximum possible. Supply through Persian route is now much less than facilities can handle—partly, but only partly, due to sinkings.

Second matter relates to Siberian airplane ferry service. If decision is to start it as soon as possible, Soviets should be supplied with requisite number of transport planes to return crews, depending, on traffic contemplated, perhaps about 15 to start with. General Bradley told me all other arrangements have been made and the operation can commence as soon as transports are available. For many reasons it seems clear Russians should operate them rather than our attempting to do it at this time. If we want to become familiar with the route our officers could travel route as frequently as might be desired. When I left Moscow War Department was insisting on United States operation.

I find Tehran a delightful spot and wish I had an excuse to stay longer. The Dreyfuses are most hospitable.”

Dreyfus
  1. A notation on the Department’s file copy of this telegram states that on August 19 the “White House was phoned and told State taking no initiative on this unless so directed.”↩
  2. The telegram describing the final stage of the Moscow conversations sent to President Roosevelt on August 18, 1942, by Prime Minister Churchill is partly printed in his book, The Second World War, vol. iv: The Hinge of Fate, pp. 501–502.↩