FW 865.014/9–1047: Telegram
The Acting Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater (Lee) to the Combined Chiefs of Staff
FX 77329 (NAF 1365).1 1. The execution of a smooth and orderly handover will entail careful preparation and minute instructions from GHQ CMF to the Italian and Jugoslav commanders.
2. If it is necessary to await confirmation on R minus 3 from the US/UK Ambassadors at Belgrade and Rome that the appropriate communications have been made before parallel action can be taken by GHQ CMF with the land force commanders, much valuable time will be lost.
3. Unless you instruct me to the contrary I propose to proceed with the instruction contained in Fan 7792 on the morning of R minus 3 on the assumption that the diplomatic communications will have been made at that time.
- A copy of this message was, at the request of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, forwarded as SWN–5688 to the Department of State on September 10 (865.014/9–1047).↩
- WAR 83708 (FAN 779), August 7, not printed. It explained that the Yugoslav and Italian Governments were to be notified of the arrangements for the turnover of the new provisional boundaries only 3 days before the deposit of ratifications (Defense Files).↩