PPS Files: Lot 64 D 563: Germany.
Memorandum by the Secretary of Defense (Marshall) to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay)1
Subject: United States Policy With Respect to Berlin and Eastern Germany.
The Department of State in a separate but related action2 is forwarding to the National Security Council for its information the text of the “Agreement on Berlin Security” which was reached by Three Foreign Ministers in their September meeting, as well as a copy of “A Review of the Berlin Situation”, a study prepared in Germany by the U.S. High Commissioner; the Commander in Chief, Europe; and the U.S. Commander, Berlin.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff in early September commented upon the text of the “Agreement on Berlin Security” prior to its finalization. They have also commented upon the study “A Review of the Berlin Situation”. Their comments with respect to these two documents are of interest to the National Security Council and pertinent extracts thereof are set forth in the following paragraphs.
Concerning the “Agreement on Berlin Security” an early version of this Agreement contained the following paragraph:
“7. Initiate a joint military study of possible ground action to break through blockade by ground transport and of a limited airlift with fighter escort.”
The Joint Chiefs of Staff commented as follows with respect to this paragraph:
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff are of the opinion that the subject matter of paragraph 7 of the draft agreement is, in the first instance, a military [Page 894] matter. Furthermore, the Western Powers do not now have, nor will they have in the foreseeable future, sufficient military forces to break through a blockade of Berlin. Accordingly, they feel that the subject matter of paragraph 7 should be deleted from the draft agreement on Berlin security since a joint military study of this nature would serve no useful purpose at this time. If and whenever the military strength of the Western Powers is sufficient for such an operation, military authorities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will undoubtedly consider plans for such an operation.”
With respect to the study “A Review of the Berlin Situation” pertinent extracts of the comments of the Joint Chiefs of Staff concerning this study are as follows:
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff have examined the enclosed Study, dated 29 August 1950 entitled “A Review of the Berlin Situation”. They consider the Study prepared jointly by the United States High Commissioner for Germany; the United States Commander, Berlin; and the Commander in Chief, Europe, to be an excellent short-range politico-military analysis of the Berlin situation. Further, the Study discloses a high degree of coordination in the planning field, particularly with respect to the measures recommended to be taken during the next six to twelve months in order that the Western Allies may maintain their position in Berlin despite renewed Soviet efforts, including the use of military force under the control of the East German Government, to drive them out.3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff perceive no objection to that part of the recommendation of the Study which provides for the reinforcing and re-equipping of the West German police and for the development of a possible reserve capable of military action, and the recommendation that the United States military garrison in Berlin be reinforced with parallel action by the United Kingdom and France being requested.
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff note that a number of other recommendations in the subject paper are at variance with the present United States policy toward Berlin and Germany. Accordingly, they suggest that the National Security Council be requested to review the United States policy toward Berlin and Germany in the light of the enclosed Study and the recommendations by the Joint Chiefs of Staff thereon. The Secretary of State should also be immediately apprised of your action.”
It is recommended that the foregoing be brought to the attention of the National Security Council Staff for its use in connection with the study now being made with respect to Berlin under the provisions of paragraph 42 of NSC 73/4.4
- The source text was transmitted to the National Security Council and added as pages 30 and 31 of NSC 89, dated October 20. Regarding this paper, see footnote 1, p. 867.↩
- At this point in the source text a footnote directed the reader to page 1 of NSC 89 which comprised a memorandum of transmission by Deputy Under Secretary of State Matthews to the National Security Council, not printed.↩
- Omission indicated in source text.↩
- Vol. i, p. 375.↩