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

J. C. S. Files

Combined Chiefs of Staff Minutes

Potsdam, July 18, 1945

top secret

1. Approval of the Minutes of the C. C. S. 195th Meeting, 18 July 1945

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

a. Approved the conclusions of the C. C. S. 195th Meeting subject to the following amendments:²

(1) Change item 4 a. to read:

“Agreed in principle that that part of the present Southwest Pacific Area lying south of the boundary proposed in paragraph 2 of C. C. S. 852/1, should pass from United States to British command as soon as possible.”

(2) Change item 5 e. to read as follows:

“In the event the U. S. S. R. enters the war against Japan, the strategy to be pursued should be discussed between the parties concerned.”

b. Approved the detailed report of the meeting subject to later minor amendments.

2. Participation of Two French Colonial Infantry Divisions in Far Eastern Operations

(C. C. S. 895, 895/1, and 895/2³)

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

Approved the reply to the Chief of the French Military Mission in the United States in the Enclosure to C. C. S. 895/2.

3. Combined Chiefs of Staff Machinery After the War With Japan

(C. C. S. 891 and 891/1⁴)

Sir Alan Brooke said that the British Chiefs of Staff had considered the memorandum by the United States Chiefs of Staff in C. C. S. 891/1. The British Chiefs of Staff were prepared to discuss the matter or to take note of the views of the United States Chiefs of Staff as the latter desired.

General Marshall said that the United States Chiefs of Staff were not in a position to discuss at this date the post-war relationship between the respective military staffs.

Admiral King said that the second paragraph of C. C. S. 891/1 was meant to refer to the procedure envisaged in the changed conclusion under 5 e. of the minutes of the Combined Chiefs of Staff 195th Meeting.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

Took note of C. C. S. 891 and 891/1.

4. Information for the Russians Concerning the Japanese War

(C. C. S. 884, 884/1, and 884/2⁵)

Sir Alan Brooke said that the British Chiefs of Staff felt that it was desirable that the policy adopted in imparting information concerning the Japanese war to the Russians should be coordinated with the policy of the United States Chiefs of Staff.

General Marshall said that the United States Chiefs of Staff had considered the matter raised in the memorandum by the British Chiefs of Staff and had come to the following conclusion:—

a. The United States Chiefs of Staff desired to retain freedom of action regarding the passing of purely operational information and intelligence to the Russians.

b. On matters of information and intelligence which were not purely operational, the United States Chiefs of Staff would agree not to pass such information to the Russians without consulting the British Chiefs of Staff.

c. As regards information and intelligence from purely British sources, this would not be passed without permission of the British Chiefs of Staff.

Sir Charles Portal said that there was considerable technical information which had been developed by joint effort, and he asked whether this information would be handled the same as operational information.

Admiral King said that information on technical equipment was not included in purely operational information. Operational information or intelligence included information on such matters as weather and the composition and disposition of enemy forces. The technical information referred to by Sir Charles Portal would not, therefore, be handled under a. above.

General Marshall said that it was the policy of the United States Chiefs of Staff to pass purely operational information and intelligence freely to the Russians and not to withhold it for bargaining purposes. If such information contributed to the efficiency of the Russian armies or aided in the prosecution of the war the United States Chiefs felt that it should be given to the Russians regardless of whether or not the Russians reciprocated.

Sir Alan Brooke said that this policy would be agreeable to the British Chiefs of Staff as they felt that it would be better for the British and United States Chiefs of Staff to pursue the same policy in this matter since both countries have military missions in Moscow.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

Agreed:

a. Operational Information and Intelligence

That the U. S. and British Chiefs of Staff will pass to the Russians such operational information and intelligence regarding the theatres in which they are respectively responsible as either may wish and without bargaining.

b. Information and Intelligence Other than Operational

The United States and British Chiefs of Staff will consult together before passing to the Russians any information and intelligence other than operational. Neither party will pass to the Russians information or intelligence derived wholly or in part from the other party’s sources without their consent.

5. Planning Date for the End of Organized Resistance by Japan

(C. C. S. 880/8⁶)

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

Agreed that for the purpose of planning production and the allocation of manpower, the planning date for the end of organized resistance by Japan be 15 November 1946; that this date be adjusted periodically to conform to the course of the war.

6. Appointment of Colonel Douglas to Allied Commission in Italy

Field Marshal Wilson reported that he had attended that afternoon a meeting between the U. S. Secretary of War,⁷ the U. S. Assistant Secretary of War,⁸ and Field Marshal Alexander at which the appointment of Colonel Douglas as Chief Commissioner to the Allied Commission in Italy had been discussed.⁹

It was proposed at that meeting that Colonel Douglas should visit Italy for a month or so to examine the situation on the spot. He could then take over the appointment from Admiral Stone in September, when all Italian territory, excluding Venezia Giulia, would have been handed back to the Italian Government and a change in the status of the Control Commission to more of a civilian basis would take place.

This proposal had been accepted by the United States and British representatives present at the meeting, and subject to approval by Colonel Douglas which was being requested from Washington,¹⁰ it was decided to adopt the above suggestions provided the Department of State and the Foreign Office agreed.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff:—

Took note of Field Marshal Wilson’s statement.

2. These amendments have been made in the minutes of the 195th Meeting as printed ante, pp. 83–86.
3. Documents Nos. 1288, 1290, and 1291, post, respectively.
4. Document No. 550, printed in vol. i, and document No. 1197, post, respectively.
5. Documents Nos. 609, 611, and 614, respectively, printed in vol. i.
6. Document No. 602, printed in vol. i.
7. Henry L. Stimson.
8. John J. McCloy.
9. See ante, p. 112.
10. Douglas subsequently declined the appointment referred to. See document No. 1114, post, footnote 2, and document No. 1116, post, footnote 2.