Memorandum from General George C. Marshall to President Harry S. Truman

FORVICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF BONDS AND STAMPS WASHINGTON 25, D.C. map Room fels WIIZ SAVE for 7 July 1945. MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: General MacArthur's needs for troops have greatly in- creased our requirements for troop shipping in the Pacific. In spite of every possible adjustment in U.S. resources, there will remain serious deficits during the critical last half of this year. A survey of passenger vessels captured in European ports reveals seven ships, including the EUROPA, which are suitable for conversion to troop carriers with a total potential ca- pacity of 37,50 troops. All of the vessels, with the excep- tion of the EUROPA, would be usable in the Pacific. Admiral Land currently is negotiating with Lord Leathers of the British Ministry of War Transport regarding the immed- iate allocation of these ships. Partial agreement has been reached placing some under U.S. control and some under British control. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that in view of our urgent and strictly military need for troopships, a U.S. claim for the allocation of all of these ships for the move- ment of U.S. personnel is justified. The Joint Chiefs of Staff therefore recommend that you approach the Prime Minister with a view to securing agreement on the employment of all seven vessels for the carriage of U.S. troops. The question of ultimate disposition and title should not be made a matter of issue at this time but de- ferred to a later date. A proposed letter to the Prime Minister is attached. For the Joint Chiefs of Staff: TRUMAN DECLASSIFIED JCS Memo, Jan. 17, 1973 By NLT-100 NARS, Date A Chief of Staff, U.S. For Army ARCHIVES NATIONAL SERVICE' RECORDS AND