EUR Files
The Assistant Secretary of War (McCloy) to the Secretary of State
Memorandum for the Secretary of State:
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Occupation Zones in Germany—British-American
This is the matter of the so-called Bremen enclave. We have sought ever since Quebec to get the matter of our control of the Bremen area clarified. It was hedged about by the British after we had agreed to relinquish the Northwest section of Germany to the British. After representations were made to Halifax he recommended a proposal which seemed to solve the situation. London has just replied to the proposal but this introduced some reservations which go pretty deep. I am inclined to think they can be straightened out without much difficulty after the logistic people get together but the staff still do not want to authorize the ratification of the protocol2 now before the EAC till the matter is further clarified.
If you could get the staff people at the conference to clear up the major difficulties, the protocol can be ratified and all details thereafter can be dealt with by the respective local commanders. I have asked the Army people to do their utmost to reach an understanding and it may be possible to have the thing cleared up before the conference. In any case, you should inquire about the status of it at the conference because it ought to be got out of the way in order to permit Winant to go ahead at the EAC level. The British have already ratified the protocol.