865.24/9–1147: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
2718. Deptel 1366, August 11. Decisions on outstanding matters of equipment for Italian army have been delayed while Italian army staff considered which of available items they wish accept under terms of July 21 surplus agreement and while allied and US authorities examined availabilities from surplus stock.
In meeting with Italian chief of army staff1 September 1 General Lee after consultation with us offered the following equipment:
- (a)
- 110 105mm howitzers, M–3 of which 99 in EuCom and 11 in Italy. All of these weapons are in poor condition having been stripped of fire control instruments and those in EuCom prepared for demilitarization; [Page 968] further we do not consider them substitute for 105 howitzer M–2 A–1 weapons. General Lee offered them to General Marras as scrap thus leaving open for possible future fulfillment the commitment of the July 21 agreement to provide substitute items and General Marras accepted.
- (b)
- 20,000 rounds of ammunition for the M–3 available in EuCom; General Marras accepted.
- (c)
- 39 light tanks M–5 available in EuCom. Since these tanks have been stripped of radio and fire control and auxiliary armament and require extensive reconditioning, they were also offered not as substitute items but as “scrap”. General Marras was informed they are believed suitable for training purposes and said he would send a representative to inspect them before giving final answer.
- (d)
- 20 medium tanks M–4 and M–4–1 available in EuCom. (This offer made even though medium tanks had been supplied from British troops Austria to meet earlier deficit (FX 77066 August 6 to War Department from ComGenMed2) in accordance with our belief that all possible equipment should be offered to Italians regardless of limits of “balanced force”, which in any case refer only to minima. We also interpret treaty limitations to refer only to material in operative condition). Italian representative will inspect these before final answer given.
- (e)
- 89 57mm anti-tank guns for which ammunition may not be available. General Lee undertook to query EuCom availability ammunition there and General Marras said he would take weapons if ammunition available. (Subsequent to meeting MTO staff reported 30,000 rounds ammunition available in Italy after R–Day).
- (f)
- Assorted grenades, mines and small arms ammunition available in Italy.
In line with Deptel 1441, August 192 General Lee stated equipment located in EuCom would have to be accepted “as is”, and that he hopes arrangements can be made to transport it to German border without cost to Italy.
I have informed General Lee that I am communicating with Hyssong3 at Paris on question of arranging transport from present depots to German border.
Re possibility that additional British equipment may be found available for Italian program understand that British decision to make such equipment available only against payment has not been altered in principle, However, British troops Austria have been ordered to close down their depots by 30 September and War Office has approved shipment to Italy equipment which Italians may want, in preference to its abandonment inside. Financial arrangement to be worked out subsequently. [Page 969] Majority of equipment available this source comprises personnel and munition carriers, armored scout cars and similar vehicles.
My understanding is that when all equipment referred to above has been delivered to the Italian army, the latter will still be lacking the following items in good condition required to establish minimum level of balance force.
200 light tanks; 230 field artillery pieces (105mm); 50 medium artillery pieces (155mm); 140mm anti-aircraft guns; 130 3.7 inch antiaircraft guns; 400 rocket launchers, and 65 17 pounder anti-tank guns.
I have informed General Lee of my understanding that under July 21 transfer agreement US still committed endeavor supply Italy with equipment called for, or suitable and acceptable substitutes. Since agreement specified no time limit for fulfillment this obligation I have informed General Lee I believe intensive search should be continued to obtain items still deficient from whatever source for delivery to Italian army.
I hope the Department will agree that the US should make every effort to see that the reduced Italian forces are as well equipped as possible.