Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The British Commonwealth; Europe, Volume III

FW 865.248/2–2647

Memorandum by the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces (Spaatz) to the Assistant Secretary of War for Air (Symington)

top secret

Washington, February 17, 1947.

Subject: Provision of Equipment for the Italian Air Force

1. The State–War–Navy Coordinating Committee (SWNCC) notified the Joint Chiefs of Staff in SWN–5044, dated 9 January 1947, that it had re-examined its views on the matter of the source of equipment for the Italian Air Force and considered that it was desirable, subject to the approval of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the U.S. to press for full responsibility to furnish aircraft, together with replacement aircraft, parts and spares, for the modernization program of the Italian Air Force. It was stated that the State Department would take steps, after approval by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to effectuate an understanding with the British Government to facilitate arrangements for agreement between the United States and Italian Governments on the-assistance program.

2. On 22 January 1947, the Joint Chiefs of Staff in SM–7448 advised the SWNCC that no objection from the military point of view was perceived to the views of the SWNCC contained in SWN–5044. The Joint Chiefs pointed out the following: “There is, however, an urgency for reaching an early decision since there is a question as to the capability of the Commanding General, U.S. Forces, European Theater, to meet a delivery schedule which will be politically acceptable. With the passage of time, his capacity to do so continuously decreases”.

3. Brigadier General H. Q. Huglin, formerly A–3 of U.S. Air Forces, Europe, has just returned to Hq, AAF for reassignment and on this date, in reviewing the problem of providing the equipment of SWNCC’s proposed plan, stated that the major task of placing sufficient aircraft in commission and delivering them to the Italians would necessitate halting all other functions of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and turning all attention to that task. He emphasized the fact that additional delay in reaching a decision reduces the capability of U.S. Air Forces, Europe to meet such a commitment.

4. Working level personnel of the War Department General Staff and Hq, AAF have repeatedly attempted to bring about prompt action by State Department on this matter without apparent success. Further delay in the resolution of diplomatic discussions may place the AAF in the awkward position of being unable to implement a U.S. commitment initiated by the SWNCC.

5. In light of the above, it is suggested that you might wish to bring this matter to the attention of Mr. Petersen¹ with a view toward pressing the State Department for an early resolution.

Carl Spaatz

1. Howard C. Petersen, Assistant Secretary of War.