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

J. C. S. Files

No. 895
Memorandum by the United States Chiefs of Staff¹

secret
C. C. S. 706/14 (Terminal)

[Babelsberg,] 17 July 1945.

Disposal of Enemy War Materiel in Germany and Austria

Reference:

CCS 706/11²

The United States Chiefs of Staff recommend that the Combined Chiefs of Staff approve Appendices “A” and “B” to C. C. S. 706/11 as amended herein.

[Appendix A—Paraphrase]

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Draft Message

^* Message to Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force,³ and to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean,⁴ from the Combined Chiefs of Staff; to the Commanding General, United States Forces, European Theater,³ from the United States Chiefs of Staff; and to the Commander in Chief, British Forces of Occupation in Germany,⁵ from the British Chiefs of Staff.

The London Munitions Assignments Board is being authorized to assign surrendered or captured enemy materiel (unless it is of non-German origin) in the hands of Britishor American-commanded forces in Austria and Germany to the forces of those countries employed in furtherance of the agreed strategy in the war against Japan. After the dissolution of Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force, unless agreement has been reached in the Control Council, the respective Chiefs of Staff will issue further instructions to the commanding officers of the British and United States zones of occupation with respect to treatment of enemy materiel which is in excess of the requirements of the military commanders and in excess of the materiel needed to fill the requirements of the London Munitions Assignments Board. Pending the receipt of such instructions, no such materiel should be destroyed except in so far as such destruction is required for military and public security.

The above message is in reply to Scaf 447,⁶ which is being repeated to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, today.

[Appendix B—Paraphrase]

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Draft

Message to the London Munitions Assignments Board

Until the countries which are members of the European Advisory Commission have agreed upon a disposal policy, and until such an agreed policy is implemented, the London Munitions Assignments Board is authorized to assign surrendered or captured enemy materiel (unless it is of non-German origin)^† in the hands of British- or American-commanded forces in Austria and Germany to the forces of those countries which will use such materiel in furtherance of the agreed strategy in the war against Japan.

1. Considered by the Combined Chiefs of Staff at their 197th Meeting, July 20. See ante, p. 162.
2. document No. 361, printed in vol. i.
3. Words underscored are proposed additions. Words italicized are proposed deletions. [Footnote in the source copy.]
3. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower.
4. Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander.
3. General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower.
5. Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery.
6. See vol. i, document No. 361, appendix D.
7. Words underscored are proposed additions. [Footnote in the source copy.]