Department of the Army Files: Telegram

The Chief of the Military Mission in the Soviet Union (Deane) to the Chief of Staff, United States Army (Marshall)

top secret

To AGWar for General Marshall information to General Eisenhower and General Spaatz from Deane TopSec MX 20947. Copy sent direct to Eisenhower.

Simultaneously with the receipt of your Octagon 10 dated 12 September1 I received information from USSTAF that the project was scheduled for today, September 13. The British and American Ambassadors and I saw Mr. Molotov who arranged for approval to be given by the Red Army General Staff. General Spaatz was informed of approval and as a result the mission is now scheduled for September 14.2 I shall await word from General Spaatz as to whether this one mission completes the project or if he proposes to send representatives to Moscow to work out a plan for continued support. I do not believe it is necessary for representatives to come here since all details of plan should be worked out in London. Really, all that [Page 405] is necessary here is Soviet approval which the British and American missions can attempt to secure here once they have been informed of the plan.

  1. Ante, p. 397.
  2. The mission was later postponed until September 18 because of bad weather. See post, p. 491.