811.2361/17: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 6—12:45 a.m.]
800. Captain Eddie Rickenbacker departed July 2 for Tehran but was forced to return because of engine trouble. It now appears that it will be necessary to bring in a new engine from Cairo and I have made preliminary arrangements for an American plane to bring one here.6
Thus far during Rickenbacker’s visit here he has inspected an air field in the vicinity of Moscow where P–39’s were being tested and has made a trip to the front where he visited three air combat units. He stated that American equipment, principally P–39’s and A–20’s were being used at these units, that although he was impressed by the spirit and fighting qualities of the Soviet aviators he was struck by their low technical skill and knowledge of the American equipment. He said that one of the first recommendations on returning to Washington would be the immediate despatch here of American instructors and technicians. I have endeavored to explain the Russian reluctance to receive such help.
Although I understand that certain misgivings were caused in the War Department at Rickenbacker’s trip to the Soviet Union and proposed visit to Ankara I can report that he has been cordially received by the Russians and in my mind he will leave this country with a more unbiased and healthy understanding of our problems here than the usual run of special representatives. So far as I am aware he has thus far not discussed the alleged reasons for his mission here, i.e., the question of air bases. With the exception of a few minutes chat with Molotov at the presentation of the American decorations7 and luncheon with Litvinov he has seen no important Soviet officials.
In many respects Rickenbacker’s mission remains a mystery to me especially its Washington inception, the secrecy with which it is clothed, the vague and undefined character of its objectives and the fact that he asks to be unaccompanied by any American officials on his visits.
I assume that the Department is equally in the dark, otherwise I feel sure it would have advised me accordingly.
The only possible discordant note in the visit thus far has been a rather heated discussion which took place between Rickenbacker on [Page 676] one hand and the British Ambassador and Arthur Sulzberger on the other on the question of operation of International Airways in the postwar period. Due to illness I was not present at this discussion but I am informed that Rickenbacker was not hesitant in his criticisms and animadversions of the selfish role he anticipated the British would play in their endeavors to control many of the principal airways of the world after the war.