740.0011 European War 1939/26979a
The Secretary of State to the Secretary of War (Stimson)
My Dear Mr. Secretary: I think it would be appropriate if an American message on New Year’s Day could be sent to General Draža Mihailovich, the leader of the patriot forces operating within Yugoslavia. This message would be most effective if it could be conveyed in the form of a personal telegram of greeting to General Mihailovich from General Eisenhower as the commander of the American forces in the European area. If you agree, may I suggest something like the following as a suitable text?
General Draža Mihailovich
Commanding General of
the Yugoslav
Forces
in Yugoslavia
The American forces in Europe and Africa send greetings to their comrades in arms the resourceful and gallant Yugoslav military units under your splendid leadership. These brave men banded together on their native soil to drive the invader from their country are serving with full devotion the cause of the United Nations.
May the New Year bring them full success.53
In this connection I think it is worth mentioning that although the President and other officials of the Government have referred to the fine achievements of the Yugoslav patriots in various statements, there has not been any communication with General Mihailovich from American sources. Two messages from British military authorities have recently been sent to him, one from General Alexander, and the other from Brigadier Vale on behalf of the General Staff.
It is my understanding that a telegram such as that suggested above could be transmitted to General Mihailovich through the system of communications now operated by the Yugoslav military authorities in Egypt.
Sincerely yours,
- On January 1, 1943, the War Department dispatched a message to General Eisenhower suggesting that he send a congratulatory message of this kind to General Mihailovich.↩