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

865.24/8–747: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Italy

top secret
us urgent

Washington, August 11, 1947—2 p. m.

1366. Reurtel 2264 Aug 7¹ following paraphrase letter Acting SecWar to SecState July 30:²

Lee holding following items recommended as essential complete equipping Ital Army: 31 light tanks, 20 medium tanks, 50 105mm howitzers M2AI, 30 155mm howitzers, and 400 rocket launchers.

Foregoing items necessary meet requirements of planned War Dept programs and therefore cannot be declared surplus but must be returned US. Appears no legal alternative this action in absence legislative authority transfer to Italy US Govt property other than surplus.

War Dept making every effort meet equipment requirements Ital Army, and to this end can make available other equipment as below.

a. To meet requirement light tanks, 31 light tanks, M–5 available in Germany (an earlier model than those now in Italy; equipped with 37mm gun instead 75mm). Have been stripped of auxiliary armament, radio and fire control instruments and require extensive reconditioning.

b. To meet requirements medium tanks 20 available in Germany can be made ready issue in five days.

c. For requirements 105mm howitzers M2AI, in Germany 43 105mm howitzers M–3, require three weeks conditioning. M–3 has range only 8,295 yards as contrasted M2AI’s 12,200 yards and for this reason Lee says not suitable substitute. However, since a principal mission Ital Army maintenance internal order, War Dept believes M–3 should be acceptable though not as desirable as M2AI.

War Dept has no available substitute items for 155mm howitzers or rocket launchers.

War Dept has no funds legally available recondition equipment for Ital Army or to transport to Italy from other areas. Every effort made to solve problem within means available to War Dept in view your (SecState’s) statement such action considered important national interest US. Appears, however, that unless means found to surmount legal and financial obstacles, best that can be done will be make available at German border substitutes as indicated above in such condition serviceability as may be achieved without appreciable expenditure War Dept funds or use materials which not surplus.

Dept understands from Gen Hyssong, FLC, that he may be able arrange with ETO for transportation to Ital border of such substitute items in Germany as desired for Ital program.

You will have seen ComGenMed tel FX 77066 Aug 6³ advising deficit medium tanks being supplied Brit from Austria. Has Gen Lee explored possibility filling other deficits from Brit sources?

As CCS advised SAC in Fan 772³ para 4, Brit had advised no Brit equipment available unless demanded and paid for through civil import program. In view FX 77066, it would appear Brit statement inaccurate, however, and possibility may exist finding other Brit equipment suitable Ital program.

Pls discuss with Lee status entire reequipment program taking into consideration possible substitutes and all possible Brit sources, and advise soonest.⁴

Marshall

1. Not printed; in it Dunn reported having been informed that, under War Department orders, 31 tanks, 50 105 mm. howitzers, 30 155 mm. howitzers, and 400 rocket launchers were being shipped back to the Zone of the Interior (FW 865.24/8–747).
2. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
3. Not printed.
4. In telegram 1514, August 26, not printed, the Acting Secretary of State urged Ambassador Dunn to expedite his reply to this message (865.24/8–2647).