740.00114A P. W./242: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7 p.m.]
508. Major McCabe, Assistant Military Attaché, and Commander Lang, naval physician, have just returned from a visit to the interned American bomber crew at Okhansk. McCabe’s report is as follows: [Page 665]
“Based on Soviet standards the food, housing and heating conditions are excellent. Winter clothing issued by the Soviets was not adequate but the military commander at Okhansk has promised the immediate issue of better clothing from Molotov.8 Except for moderate vitamin deficiencies the health of the crew is satisfactory. All members of the crew were examined by Dr. Lang. Morale is still excellent due to outstanding leadership displayed by Major York, although continued inactivity, especially during the winter, is causing-a decline. The Soviet attitude toward the crew is very friendly.”
McCabe makes the informal suggestion that in the interest of the maintenance of morale and in order to prevent any embarrassing incident which might conceivably develop in case the men should endeavor to escape, it would be desirable if some way could be found, for the internees to be assigned some useful work. He also states that they have expressed the desire for a transfer to a more southerly climate since all of them are from the southern part of the United States.
It might be possible during some of the conversations which are taking place between American and Soviet military authorities for the American representatives to propose that the internees be released on parole for work with the Soviet Air Force in the Caucasus.
- The city formerly called Perm is meant.↩