740.00116 European War/8–2144
The Chief of the Special War Problems Division (Plitt) to the First Secretary of the British Embassy (Gore-Booth)
My Dear Mr. Gore-Booth: Mr. Hackworth has referred to me your letter of August 21, 1944 enclosing a paraphrase of a telegram received from the British Foreign Office in regard to the action of the Germans in using French political prisoners to remove fuses from delayed action bombs dropped in France by Allied aviators, and outlining the action advocated by the Foreign Office in relation thereto. You request our comments on London’s proposal.
The Department received a memorandum dated August 11, 1944 from the French Delegation36 here paralleling the approach made to the Foreign Office in London in regard to this matter. Subsequently, on August 19, the Department telegraphed the substance of the French memorandum to our Embassy in London and requested the Ambassador to discuss the matter with the Foreign Office and to ascertain the views of your Government on the subject.
In view of the present situation in France which is very different from that which existed at the time the approach on this matter was [Page 1252] directed to the British and United States Governments by the French, the Department believes it desirable that information be obtained confirming the continuation of the practice described before pursuing the matter further. This attitude is premised upon the belief that military developments in France have presumably brought about a cessation of those practices about which the French have complained. Consequently the grounds for a protest would appear to have been removed.
In implementation of this reasoning, an officer of the Department of State discussed the matter on September 15 with Mr. Briere of the French Delegation at Washington.37 Mr. Briere was informed regarding the Department’s attitude toward the matter and was told that in the absence of confirmation that the practice of which the French have complained is continuing, the Department would be disposed to drop the matter on the grounds that the basis for a protest would appear to have been eliminated. Mr. Briere stated that the Delegation is not in possession of any information regarding the current status of the matter and that it would endeavor to ascertain whether or not the practice could be described as continuing. He said further that should the Delegation obtain confirmation of the continued use by German occupation authorities in France of political prisoners for the purpose of defusing delayed action bombs, the Department would be informed accordingly.
In view of the foregoing the Department deems it preferable that no further action be taken in the matter until the French Delegation has had an opportunity to confirm the need for positive action on the part of United States and British Governments. I shall inform you in the event that the Delegation approaches the Department of State again oil this matter.
Sincerely yours,