Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

825.24/1751

Memorandum by the Liaison Officer With the War and Navy Departments (Wilson) to the Adviser on Political Relations (Duggan)

[Washington,] January 8, 1944.

In 1943 three Catalinas (PBY–5’s) were delivered to Chile.

Admiral Spears⁹ informs me that these planes are all which Chile can handle with its existing facilities (hangar and ground crews et cetera). Even at Quintero¹⁰ the conditions for these planes are not ideal. With reference to President Ríos’ comments concerning the necessity of more PBY’s for patrolling the coast and the Straits of Magellan, the Admiral states that it would be impossible to operate PBY–5’s in these regions owing to rough water and lack of supplies and other facilities. Land based planes are now used to patrol the region of the Straits.

I asked the Admiral whether any further deliveries of these planes were contemplated in the future. He answered that the Chileans had made a request for six. The Navy feels, however, that this request cannot be granted owing to the inability of the Chileans to supply the necessary personnel and other facilities. He expressed the view that the Munitions Assignments Committee would turn down such a request if submitted to it.

Mr. Walstrom¹¹ tells me that the Chileans have submitted no request to the Munitions Assignments Committee (Air) for the additional six PBY–5’s.

Orme Wilson

9. Rear Adm. William O. Spears, Senior Member, Joint Army and Navy Advisory Board on the American Republics.
10. Airport to the north of Valparaíso.
11. Joe D. Walstrom, Assistant Chief, Division of International Communications.