740.5/10–250
Memorandum by the Secretary of Defense (Marshall) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Subject: Integrated Force in Europe
In receiving the attached Council Resolution, C5–D/11 (Final),1 General Bradley and I have agreed to request the Standing Group to make recommendations for the creation of an integrated force without [Page 357] specific consideration of German participation. The question of German contribution, raised by the last paragraph of the Resolution, will be introduced only at the Defense Committee and by a unilateral United States proposal. I desire that the Joint Chiefs of Staff fully participate in both of these actions.
I request that the Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend to me, as a matter of priority, by 13 October 1950, their concept of a European defense force and the practical steps that should be taken to create the force. Your recommendations must, of necessity, be of sufficient scope and detail as to be the basis for the position of General Bradley and myself in making recommendations to carry out the actions requested by the Council. Your views will be the basis for my seeking agreement by the Defense Committee on the inclusion of German manpower and productive resources in the defense of Western Europe and should include the specific manner in which you believe this should be done.
The details of the creation of the force, and the question of command, should be proposed in such a way as not to be contingent on German participation but adaptable to her inclusion. The United States position continues to be that of non-concurrence in any integrated force which does not provide for German participation, but the determination of the German contribution must remain subject to further international negotiation.