740.00119 Control (Germany)/7–1445: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany ( Murphy ) to the Secretary of State
168. Following is report, delayed in transmission, on first formal meeting of Berlin Kommandatura26 held on July 11.
In the interest of administrative continuity Kommandatura decided to continue in force pending further study and later decision the Military Government laws first instituted in Berlin by the Russians. It was agreed that transfer of Military Government responsibility from the Russians to the commanders of the respective US and British sectors should be formally completed by 9 a.m. July 12. (At time of receipt of this report from Berlin, it is learned that transfer was effected smoothly.)
[Page 1036]Chairmanship of Kommandatura will rotate on first and sixteenth of each month. Russian General Gorbatov will serve until August 1 and will be followed by US and British generals and French general when latter formally becomes member of Kommandatura.
Reconnaisance being undertaken to determine permanent seat of Kommandatura. Lists of personnel for Kommandatura staff are being exchanged between Russian, US and British national groups with a view to setting up staff as soon as possible.
French General Beauchesne attended meeting in capacity of observer.
Following is gist of first order of Kommandatura which is signed by Russian, US and British commanders and is now being posted:
The “inter-Allied Kommandatura” formally took over control of Berlin on July 11. Until special notice all existing orders issued by Soviet Chief of Garrison and Military Commandant of Berlin, as well as by German municipal administration under Allied control which regulate the order and behavior of local population and its liability for infringement of such orders and for unlawful acts against Allied occupation troops remain in force.
- The U.S. Political Adviser’s office was moved to Hoechst, a district of Frankfurt-am-Main, on June 15.↩
- The Allied Kommandatura Berlin, the inter-Allied governing authority for Greater Berlin. For documentation on preliminary meetings of the Allied Kommandatura, see Conference of Berlin (Potsdam), vol. i, pp. 630–634, 638–639, and 755–756.↩