861.248/243: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant)
4725. From Hopkins. Personal for Harriman. Your 5355 of September 25.30 After the departure of aircraft now in Alaska the movement of planes via Alaska and Siberia will be suspended, as a result of request from the Russians. Russians claim route is not now feasible. This is not in accord with Bradley’s views. Bradley attempting to clear difficulty with Moscow. Future of Alaskan route in grave doubt.
Deliveries of fighter planes will probably be made via North Atlantic convoys, or by water to West Africa or Basra, flying to destination. A–20’s and B–25’s will likely be delivered by flight from United States to destination via Africa. Whole delivery question under discussion. Will advise when definite decision reached.
Our understanding here agrees with yours that deliveries of Aircobras are replacements for those given us by British and that other British and American commitments to the Russians are not altered by this transaction. [Hopkins.]
- Not printed.↩