Office of the Historian

861.24/1128: Telegram

The Second Secretary of Embassy in the Soviet Union (Thompson) to the Secretary of State

Moscow, October 3, 1942—10 a.m.
[Received October 6—12:45 a.m.]

390. To Stettinius from Faymonville.

1.
In very strong terms Krutikov31 explained disappointment of Soviet Government over shipping situation. Mikoyan understood [Page 727] that 35 ships were scheduled for Soviet Union from American ports in August but in fact only 15 sailed. Commissar thinks September loadings in United States also regrettably small and says best shipping months wasted. Meanwhile military commanders are demanding from Commissar munitions which would have been available under expected shipping schedule. Commissar states that shortage of munitions is having a disastrous effect on strategic plans of Red Army. He insists that immediate steps must be taken to push shipping up to maximum before winter.
2.
In September, Commissar directed Soviet Purchasing Commission to investigate why so few ships had been assigned for transportation United States to Russia. In reply Commission says one reason is that Washington authorities wanted to wait for arrival of convoy 18 before releasing ships for loading at American ports. Commissar comments that although convoy 18 long ago finished a comparatively successful Voyage, still no adequate number of ships assigned for loading.
3.
Commission additionally reported to Commissar that source, of decisions on Russia-bound shipping is still unclear and Washington answers to Commission are intended only to soothe and not to enlighten. Many promises are made and various explanations of delay are given to the Commission, the most usual being that it is necessary to consult the British, that it all depends on General Burns, that it all depends on the White House.
4.
Commissar is especially anxious about truck shipments and recalls that General Spalding told him recommended August truck shipments would be 4000 for Soviet delivery plus 3500 for American use in Iran for Soviet supply lines. Commissar says that in fact only 512 trucks despatched in August and only 2870 in September.
5.
Commissar fears a repetition of last fall’s delays. He thinks supplies may arrive too late for effective distribution and use. I emphasized seriousness of difficulties caused by ship sinkings and also increase in American fighting fronts. Commissar insisted with great emphasis that all fronts constitute a single theater of operations; that it is shortsighted not to recognize American interests are being defended on the Russian front; that the urgency of need and the seriousness of the military situation are greater on the Russian front than elsewhere; and furthermore that Russian military plans are intimately involved with supplies promised by United States and that United States is expected to keep its promises. Commissar urges that supreme effort necessary in next few weeks to load maximum number ships and despatch before unfavorable winter conditions intervene.

Repeated to Kuibyshev. [Faymonville.]

Thompson
  1. Alexey Dmitriyevich Krutikov, Assistant People’s Commissar for Foreign Trade.↩