865.248/4–2147: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Dunn ) to the Secretary of State
883. ReDeptel 267, February 25.1 In conference with Acting SAC 2 this afternoon I was informed that he intends to recommend to CCS that original program for reequipment Italian air force with Spitfires and P–38’s be implemented immediately since continued delay in decision to make available P–51’s from US is damaging Italian air force program and no longer technically feasible for MTOUSA at this late date because of early close out. I shall alert Department on number and date of Lee’s message as soon as it is despatched3 and meanwhile can only express regret that firm agreement to reequip Italian air force at least in part with modern American equipment understood available in USFET has not yet been reached. In not supplying the P–51 type we are losing an opportunity to establish in Italy a modern air force with American equipment and training which would be adequate to meet any real emergency at least in the initial stages.
Sent Department as 883; repeated Leghorn as 28.
- Not printed; it informed the Embassy in Rome that SWNCC had on January 9 approved the sale of P–51 aircraft to Italy; that the Department had been discussing the matter on an urgent basis with the British Embassy, but that no reply had been received and the War Department had therefore been unable to instruct the theater (865.248/2–2447).↩
- Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee.↩
- Leghorn’s telegram 62, April 26, not printed, identified General Lee’s message as FX 76068 of April 25 (865.248/4–2647). In FX 76068, April 25, not printed, General Lee as Commanding General of the U.S. Forces in the Mediterranean Theater informed the War Department that the austerity standards forced on him did not permit indefinite commitments. He asked for authorization to inform the Italian Government that no U.S. proposal for equipping the Italian Air Force with P–51’s had developed; and proposed to suggest that the Italians in their own interest accept the British plan. (Defense Files)↩