861.248/204: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union ( Standley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:35 p.m.]
110. For McCabe81 from Faymonville. Reference your paragraphs 2 and 3, cablegram 39 February 18,82 Chief of Soviet Air Forces83 understands that effort to obtain spare parts is not producing satisfactory results. His most urgent immediate requirement is to recondition P–40s. For these and other types he must have at once 100 spare Allison engines and at least 100 spare propellors. During past [Page 701] months British Mission has received similar urgent requests for tank spares and airplane spares and has thereupon attempted to show Russians how to be more economical with spare parts and more careful in use of tanks and planes. This British advice has not been welcomed and has not resulted in noticeable change in Russian practice or modification of Russian requests. Russians have commendable and increasing confidence in their own ability to fight and their own knowledge of methods of warfare. They are proud of Russian fighting records as compared with records of advisors. A group of British technical advisors is being withdrawn from the Soviet Union. I see no prospect of success in attempting to convince the Russians that they do not need what they say they need. I recommend concentration of effort on producing the spare parts requested by Russians. Please cable estimated date of delivery of 100 propellors and engines. [Faymonville.]