865.248/4–2147: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy
top secret
Washington, May 1,
1947—5 p.m.
619. Ur 883 Apr 21. You will have seen WARX 96927 Apr 25 to Mil Attaché Rome1 re P–51 aircraft for Ital air force. You shd inform Ital Govt of availability these planes, parts and maintenance equipment at nominal cost presently estimated at $92,000, and urge that necessary arrangements for acquisition be expedited. Keep ComGenMed informed.2
Dept has informed FLC in premises.
Marshall
- WARX 96927, War Department to Headquarters, European Command, Frankfurt, and to Military Attaché, Rome, for information. This message, not printed, directed EuCom to advise FLC, Germany, of the available surplus of 50 P–51’s, and to be prepared to fly the planes to Italy on receiving notification that agreement had been reached with the Italian Government. (Defense Files)↩
- In telegram 1044, May 5, from Rome, not printed, Dunn reported that in accordance with Fan 749 (supra) General Lee had on May 2 informed Prime Minister De Gasperi of the Allied plan to provide Italy with five squadrons of Spitfires and two of P–51’s. He stated he would inform De Gasperi that the cost to Italy would be $92,000 (805.248/5–547).↩