861.248/244a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley)
278. In confirmation of third paragraph, Section 3, your 371, September 25 [23], midnight.27 For your strictly confidential information Department on inquiry has just learned from War Department that on September 19 General Belyaev, President Soviet Government Purchasing Commission, informed authorities here that on orders from his Government delivery of planes via Alaska had been stopped.28 No reasons were given for this decision.
In regard to Molotov’s statement that the Soviets would fly out any planes we made available in Alaska Department has learned from same source that a consignment of fighter planes for Soviets is in Alaska ready for delivery and only await Soviet arrangements for travel through Siberia. Department further understands that it is not feasible to send these fighter planes through Siberia unless they are escorted during the journey by bombers or transport planes which could carry necessary extra equipment and fuel for the fighters. None of these larger planes is now available in Alaska.
Because of the stop order of Soviet Government all deliveries of Soviet earmarked planes for Alaska already en route have been stopped.
- Ante, p. 648; see paragraph beginning “I remarked”, p. 649.↩
- In a later telegram, No. 869, October 10, 1942, from Kuibyshev, Ambassador Standley stated that “General Bradley has informed, me that negotiations regarding the use of the Siberian ferry service have been resumed and that 12 planes have already landed in Siberia:” (861.248/250)↩