Moscow Embassy Files: Lot F–96
The American Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (Molotov)
Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that I have been directed to transmit the following message from the President of the United States to Mr. Stalin:
“I have received a copy of the Prime Minister’s message to you.40 We are going to move as rapidly as possible to place an air force under your strategic command in the Caucasus. I am now trying to find additional planes for you immediately and will advise you soon. [Page 732] I am also trying to arrange to have some of our merchant ships transferred to your flag to increase your flow of materials in the Pacific. I have just ordered an automobile tire plant to be made available to you. We are sending very substantial reinforcements to the Persian Gulf to increase the flow of supplies over that route and are confident that this can be done. We are sending a large number of engines and other equipment as well as personnel. I am confident that our contemplated operation will be successful.
“The gallant defense of Stalingrad has thrilled everyone in America and we are confident of its success.”
Accept [etc.]
Secretary of Embassy
- For text, see Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. iv, The Hinge of Fate, p. 579.↩