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

740.00119 (Potsdam)/7–3145

No. 1011
United States Delegation Working Paper¹

[Babelsberg, July 29, 1945.]

Disposition of the German Fleet and Merchant Marine

German Fleet

It is agreed that the German fleet shall at once be divided equally among the U. S. S. R., the U. K., and the U. S. A large proportion of the German submarines shall be destroyed, a small number being retained for experimental and training purposes. The destruction of the submarines shall be supervised by a mixed commission which shall also determine which will be retained.

It is further agreed that naval officers of the three powers will be accorded facilities to inspect German naval vessels and installations wherever held.

German Merchant Marine.

It is agreed that the German merchant marine wherever or however captured or held shall be ultimately divided equally among the U. S. S. R., the U. K., and the U. S., subject to further distribution by them to other Allied nations. Although particular vessels may be earmarked now for particular nations, all German merchant vessels shall be used in the prosecution of the Japanese war as long as that war continues. The allocation, manning, and operation of these ships during the Japanese war period shall fall under the cognizance and authority of the Combined Shipping Adjustment Board and the United Maritime Authority. The ultimate distribution of the German merchant fleet shall take place six months after the fall of Japan.

It is further agreed that appropriate officers of the three powers will be accorded facilities to inspect German merchant vessels wherever held.

1. In the “Index of Attachments to Summary of the Negotiations in the Economic Sub-Committee” (file No. 740.00119 (Potsdam)/7–3145), this paper is identified as a “draft agreement by Collado, July 29, 1945.”