Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conference of Berlin (The Potsdam Conference), 1945, Volume I

740.00119 Control (Germany)/6–3045: Telegram

No. 112
The Political Adviser in Germany (Murphy) to the Secretary of State ad interim

secret
us urgent—niact

Hoechst, June 30, 1945—8 p.m.

87. With respect to the imminent implementation of the zones agreement¹ and the establishment of US theater organization, the Depts attention is invited to SHAEF–AGWar signals Fxcs 253 and Scaf 469 as well as signal from AGWar to SHAEF reference No. WX–23672 of June 28.²

For the Depts most secret information, following is the gist of yesterday’s conference at Berlin between Generals Clay and Weeks and Marshal Zhukov.

Soviets desire as quick withdrawal as possible from remainder of their zone starting July 1. Following is program which US Command will endeavor to fulfill: July 1—Russians send in reconnaissance parties to twelve towns; July 2—reconnaissance parties to certain airfields; July 4—Allied withdrawal to be completed. There is to be a gap of some three to five kilometres between Russian advanced and Allied rear guards. Allied move into Berlin to start on last day of withdrawal, with entry on following day.

. . . . . . .

Following is program for occupation of Berlin sectors: July 1—ground reconnaissance; July 2—airfield reconnaissance; July 3—main bodies troops start moving in and complete move in on July 4.

With respect to roads, Autobahn Hanau–Magdeburg–Berlin would be used unrestrictedly by US and British troops. Russians did not agree for free use of Berlin–Frankfurt Autobahn and road agreement is subject to reservation for consideration in Control Council or consideration by govts.

With respect to rail transport, Soviets are not at present converting to Russian gauge railways west of Berlin. They agree to exclusive use by the US of standard gauge line Greene–Goettingen–Bebra and unrestricted use by the Allies of line Goslar–Magdeburg–Berlin.

It was agreed that all road, rail and air traffic on authorized routes would be free from border search or control by customs or military authorities. Traffic would have to conform, however, to Russian police control in the normal way. Zhukov promised that all reasonable requests for transport of US and British troops essential for preparations for the conference would be met. Cable service between Berlin and Frankfurt agreed upon.

With respect to air routes, Russians offered airlane of approximately twenty miles width from Berlin to Magdeburg and two lanes from Magdeburg to Frankfurt. For the conference Gatow Airfield would be controlled entirely on US–British basis. Tempelhof in the US zone would be available to the US. Soviets require one hour notification of each flight but acknowledgment of notification prior to flight not required.

After subsequent clearance with the Russians it is arranged that a token French force of one thousand will accompany US–British forces into Berlin, and French reconnaissance party will proceed to Berlin tomorrow.

Press release is being issued announcing that withdrawal from Russian zone will start July 1.

Murphy

1. i.e., the protocol signed at London, September 12, 1944, as amended by an agreement signed at London November 14, 1944. For texts, see Treaties and Other International Acts Series No. 3071; United States Treaties and Other International Agreements, vol. 5, pt. 2, p. 2078; Foreign Relations, The Conferences at Malta and Yalta, 1945, pp. 118, 121.
2. Not printed.