Defense Files: Telegram
The Director of the Plans and Operations Division, War Department General Staff (Norstad) to the Commanding General, United States Forces, Mediterranean Theater of Operations (Lee)
top secret
Washington, 27 June,
1947.
WARX 81070. From WDGPO MA Rome for Stillwell.
- 1.
- Return to Z/I the medium tanks you are holding which originally totaled 70; however, now appear to total 56, and have been subject of exchange of messages. State Department concurs and is considering provision of 20 British lend-lease tanks from the Middle East, References are FX 76636,1 paragraph 6 of WAR 99303,2 and F 76195.3 For your information, the medium tanks are needed to meet established programs of the Regular Army and National Guard and therefore cannot be declared surplus.
- 2.
- The 50 105-millimeter howitzers are receiving further consideration by both State and War Departments; instructions are forthcoming. [Page 930] We understand that you now have in the depot for turn over to the Italian Army 78 105-millimeter howitzers, M–7, motor carriage, which are US lend-lease items, reference paragraph 3 B of F 76289;4 plus 5 British pieces of medium artillery, reference paragraph 4 of FX 76636. This total of 83 should equip 3 Italian regiments. Therefore it appears that your action to hold an additional 50105-millimeter howitzers is to equip 2 more artillery regiments, thus providing the Italians with a total of 5 medium artillery regiments. Is this correct?
- 3.
- There are in the European Theater approximately 300, M–18, tank destroyers equipped with 76 millimeter guns which can be declared surplus. Their condition and availability of spare parts are not known. Could 50 of these be used as substitutes for the 50 105-millimeter howitzers you are holding?