811.2360H/11–646: Telegram
The Military Attaché in Yugoslavia (Partridge) to the War Department
719. Following status of military air transport service Vienna–Belgrade: Air travel between Vienna–Belgrade has now been taken over by EATS,2 who desire to run only two trips per week. Yugo foreign office requested that all ATC personnel leave this country by 1 June. At present there are 4 ATC personnel in Belgrade; 3 of whom are in protective custody of Embassy and are refused exit visas by Jugs, the fourth is Major Gurley, ATC detachment commander, who is being transferred to Paris as soon as the property for which he is charged here in Belgrade is straightened out. When he departs, there will be no EATS or ATC personnel available in Belgrade to take care of incoming planes. In order for airplanes to make trip Vienna–Belgrade and return, it is required that we submit to Ministry of National Defense 48 hours in advance a request for each separate flight. Requests must include full names of each crew member, passport number, and number of the aircraft. We have protested this qualification on grounds that unforeseen operational difficulties in Vienna will not allow them to fulfill this requirement in all cases, and we feel that such failure would lend itself to possibility of further incidents at the Belgrade airport. As yet the Jugs have refused to budge from their position with regard to these requirements.
[Page 913]Jugs now demanding we turn over to them all radio equipment and radios sound sets which are ATC property on Zemun airport. They quote as their authority for such demand, verbal agreement made by Capt Beaumont, original ATC detachment commander. Such verbal agreement, unfortunately was recognized in writing by State Department on 25 April 46 and now it is believed that Yugoslavia not only wants the radio equipment but such things as air corps supply which are on the airfield. In the meantime they are stealing equipment as rapidly as possible and refusing to let us put the equipment in safer spot on the airdrome. One month ago Major Gurley submitted request for export permit for all supplies, other than radio equipment, on the airdrome.
To date in spite of frequent inquiries such has not been received. In order to have some one available in Belgrade to meet incoming EATS planes, handle baggage, passengers, freight, etc., we are attempting to secure two EATS enlisted personnel to be attached to the MA office. No great hope held for this as Jugs have already refused British on same.
Negotiations regarding American civil aviation rights in Yugo are at stand still and no progress being made. In all respects our situation here closely parallels the British. They are allowed 3 planes per week operating between Belgrade and Bari. Same kind of clearances required of them by Jugs. Jugs also demanding some British radio equipment be turned over to them and their staging post personnel be removed from country. They have not been able to negotiate any civil aviation agreements. The Yugoslavs have demanded that British MAA and American MAA aircraft be removed from country. Grounds are that communications are improved to such a point that such airplanes are no longer required.
On 18th July Jugs demanded that EATS aircraft flying between Vienna and Belgrade enter Jugoslavia over city of Subotica. This necessarily requires that airplanes fly over Hungary for which Russian permission is required. Application has been made to Russians thru Jugs for permission. Have also asked Jugs to allow us to fly old route (Vienna–Belgrade) until Russian permission arrives. No answer received yet.
- European Air Transport Service, successor to Air Transport Command.↩