Defense Files: Telegram

The Acting Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater (Lee) to the Combined Chiefs of Staff

secret

FX 76858 (Naf 1347).1 1. 5 members of A Company KRRC inadvertently wandered into Zone B while returning from a parade at Cebidil (885915) to road post 32 (853981) at about 1500 hours on 16 June 1947.

Member Number
RFN Arnold, J. 14 462 377
RFN Jones, J. 14 488 463
RFN Lee, G. 14 477 541
RFN Minsey, A. 14 465 97–
RFN Whittingham, J. 14 472 940

2. Civilians reported that the men had been arrested in the area of Duino (8719582) in Zone B and on morning of 17 June Jugoslav Commander of road post at MR 582939 certified that the men were in Jugoslav hands.

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3. On 19 June a letter reporting their disappearance was sent to the Jugoslav Military Mission. A reminder was sent on 1 July asking for the immediate release of these men. Neither of these letters has as yet been answered.

4. I request that the United States State Department and the British Foreign Office be asked to take appropriate action through diplomatic channels to obtain their release.

[
Lee
]
  1. In telegram 124, July 15, from Leghorn, not printed, Acting Political Adviser Greene called the attention of the Department to Naf 1347 (740.00119 Control (Italy)/7–1547).