740.00119 Potsdam/7–1745
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of War ( McCloy ) to the Assistant Secretary of State ( Dunn )
General Clay advises me today that he has tentatively worked out with General Weeks, Deputy Military Governor of the British Zone, an agreement that a French Area of Occupation in the City of Berlin will be formed from the existing areas allocated to the United Kingdom and the United States Forces of Occupation. It would seem appropriate now to inform Ambassador Winant that agreement with the British and French on this point seems likely and to request that he agree in the European Advisory Commission with the British, the Russians and the French that the matter may be referred to the Control Council for Germany for settlement, with the understanding that the French Zone will be created out of the areas presently assigned to the United States and the United Kingdom Forces.
General Clay expects to confer with General Weeks and General Koeltz82a on this matter on Thursday83 and to work out a definitive scheme, subject to final ratification by the Joint Chiefs of Staff if that turns out to be necessary.84
- Lt. Gen. Louis Koeltz, Deputy Military Governor, French Zone of Occupation in Germany.↩
- July 19.↩
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In his telegram S–13632, July 23, to the War Department, General Eisenhower reported as follows:
“Reference is made to the area in Greater Berlin to be assigned to the French.
Clay and Weeks have consulted with Koeltz, who has agreed to accept Reinickendorf and Wedding [districts of Berlin] with details as to movement of supplies by rail and air to be settled by the three Commanders. Koeltz states he has full authority to effect settlement. Weeks has recommended to British Government the approval of the proposed assignment and its presentation to the Group Council for ratification. I recommend approval of this course of action.” (Murphy Files). In telegram V–311–BG–368, July 26, to General Eisenhower, the Joint Chiefs of Staff approved General Eisenhower’s recommendation and reported that the State Department concurred (Murphy Files).
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