Office of the Historian

740.0011 EW 1939/34208: Telegram

The Minister in Switzerland (Harrison) to the Secretary of State

Bern, May 10, 1944—2 p.m.
[Received 3:40 p.m.]

2948. This is Tittmann’s 163, May 3; my 162, May 3.

1.
Tone of Vatican note reveals not only indignation because of circumstances of attack which seems inexplicable to Vatican officials but also serious apprehension whether under present circumstances it will be possible to continue Vatican truck service on which provisioning of Vatican City and civilian population of Rome largely depends (see my 159, April 2939). I am told drivers of Vatican trucks are thoroughly frightened and may even decline further to risk their lives unless some assurance can be obtained with regard to their safety. Should it be found necessary to suspend Vatican truck service it is hardly an exaggeration to say gravest consequences would ensue both within and without Vatican City.
2.
There are indications that the Pope himself has taken matter very much to heart. Obviously at insistence of Holy Father, Montini40 invited Osborne and myself to accompany him and Galeazzi41 to roof of St. Peter’s in order that we might see for ourselves to what extent Vatican colors on trucks defiling in St. Peter’s Square below were recognizable. Osborne could not go but I went and while I was obliged to admit colors could easily be distinguished at least from that height I pointed out recognition was probably more difficult from fast moving aircraft. I also mentioned that enemy would always be able to disguise his own vehicles by painting them yellow and white.
3.
I notified Vatican in writing on February 24 and again on April 28 that immunity could not be given because of difficulties of identification. Nevertheless, Vatican continues to send me advance notice of departures of convoys which I telegraph to Department. As it occurs to me that this may be wasted effort please let me know if Department prefers that I discontinue sending such messages.
4.
My British colleague’s telegrams Nos. 309 and 310 of May 3 on subject of attack were marked for urgent repetition to Washington.42

Repeated Algiers. [Tittmann.]

Harrison
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Msgr. Giovanni Batista Montini, Papal Under Secretary of State.↩
  3. Enrico Pietro Galeazzi, Director General of the Technical and Economic Services of the Vatican.↩
  4. Copies of two telegrams dated May 3, presumably Nos. 309 and 310, presented to the Department by the British Embassy on May 8, 1944, not printed.↩