740.00114A European War 1939/295: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:45 p.m.]
547. The “escape” from time to time of a total of 15 of our interned aviators has prompted Turk authorities to express desire to be rid of the remaining 20 but as not being able to permit any further “escapes” lest serious complications with Axis ensue. As a result of prolonged discussions over past 2 months, Turk authorities have now expressed their willingness to release, provided no objection is raised by belligerents, both Allied and Axis aviators at present interned in Turkey totalling 69 comprising 20 Americans, 15 Russians, 7 British, 5 French (who desire to join General Giraud22) 11 German and 11 Italian.
British and Russian Ambassadors23 and our Military Attachés24 are all agreed that in view of great preponderance in our favor and probability that in future more Allied than Axis aviators will be interned in Turkey it is decidedly to our advantage to urge Turk authorities to give effect to their desire.
Accordingly, unless instructed to contrary I shall inform Minister for Foreign Affairs that if 47 Allied aviators are immediately released Embassy will make no objection to release of 22 Axis aviators now interned in Turkey.
Please inform General Arnold25 of the foregoing.
- French General Henri Honoré Giraud, who had escaped from German war imprisonment in early 1942, assumed the position of High Commissioner of French North Africa on December 26, 1942.↩
- Sir Hughe M. Knatchbull-Hugessen and Sergei Vinogradov, respectively.↩
- Col. Cornelius C. Jadwin and Maj. Robert C. Brown.↩
- Gen. H. H. Arnold, Commanding General, U.S. Army Air Forces.↩