Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The Near East and Africa, Volume IV

868.20/100: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)

Washington, March 9, 1943—2 p.m.

356. Following received from London:

“1668, March 8, 9 p.m. The Greek ‘army’ in the Middle East has mutinied, Sargent³ told me this afternoon, following a conversation he had just had with the Prime Minister. Sargent attributed this to ‘Greek politics and Kanellopoulos’⁴ recent changes in officer personnel.’ He denied that it was in any sense a revolt against the King and his government. The ‘army’ at present he said consists of two battalions and the third is about to be formed. The Greek Prime Minister has agreed to place the ‘army’ entirely under the jurisdiction and command of General Wilson.”⁵

Please report as fully as possible on this subject.

Welles

3. Sir Orme Garton Sargent, British Deputy Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
4. Panayotis Kanellopoulos, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense in the Greek Government in Exile.
5. Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, British Commander in Chief, Middle East.