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President's Secretary's File (Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration)
Diplomatic Correspondence
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Great Britain: Military Situation: Mar 1941
BRITISH EMBASSY,
REGRADED
WASHINGTON.
UNCL, STRIED
March 1st, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of
the latest report on the military
situation. It is dated February 27th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram received from London
dated February 27th, 1941.
Naval. Outward convoy of 39 ships during
February 26th and early 27th was attacked by U boats
and aircraft.
2. Four ships torpedoed of which one
certain sank, one probably sank, one returning to
harbour. Eight bombed of which one sank, four
burning, three hoped to salve.
3. British ship of 7,764 tons bombed, set
on fire off Cromarty in the a.m. February 26th. Fire
soon controlled and ship towed into harbour.
4. Two British trawlers off Fastnet shot
down Fokke Wulf aircraft, escorted by two fighters
which attacked them on February 23rd.
5. Royal Air Force. Night of February
26th/27th. 145 bombers despatched to attack industrial
areas at Cologne and invasion ports. Four aircraft
have not yet returned to their base.
6. German Air Force. Daylight February 26th.
With the exception of submarine patrols in the Straits
activity consisted mainly of occasional raids over
coastal districts in East Anglia and Kent. Industrial
damage reported is negligible and casualties very few.
7. Night of February 26th/27th. About 150
aircraft operating of which 50 attacked Cardiff-Bristol
area.
8. Malta. On February 26th Luqa aerodrome
attacked by about 60 German bombers escorted by 20-30
fighters - 2 Junker 87a were destroyed and 7 others
probably destroyed by our fighters. A.A. fire brought
down/
-2-
down 5 Junker 87s and probably 4 more. Three
of our fighters are missing. Damage was caused
to hangars and buildings and aerodrome was rendered
unserviceable but there were only 4 service
casualties. Six of our aircraft on the ground were
burnt and four were badly damaged.
9. Aircraft casuelties in operations
over and from British Isles: British: Fighters 5 (two
pilots safe), Bombers 4. Germans: Nil.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
UNCLASSIFIED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 3rd, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies of
the two latest reports received from
London on the military situation.
They are dated February 28th and
March lst respectively.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram from London dated February 28th
1.
Naval. A/P Trawler mined and sunk off Humber
night of 26th/27th.
2.
H.M. Minesweeper "Sarna" mined and sunk in Suez
Canal on 25th February.
3.
During the night after the capture of Castelorozzo
Island two enemy motor torpedo boats raided the Island but
withdrew before contact could be made. Reported "Ladybird"
withdrew after heavy raid when she was damaged slightly.
4.
Reference to air and U-boat attack on outward
convoy 26th/27th, position as now known:- fourteen ships
attacked, three sunk and three set on fire, eight damaged,
of which one in tow and two proceeding under own steam to
United Kingdom.
5.
On 27th, East Coast convoy twice bombed and
machine-gunned. One ship sunk, one damaged, one reported
being attacked, but no further details.
6.
Glasgow and raider. Now made clear Glasgow's
only available aircraft did sighting and shadowing, Glasgow
seventy miles distant with maximum speed of 24 knots. Posi-
tion of "Canadian Cruiser" 480 miles E.S.E. Mombasa and
Dutch ship was 280 miles E.S.E. of "Canadian Cruiser".
7.
"Leander" a.m. 27th, 250 miles W.S.W. of the
Maldive Islands intercepted Italian ship "Ramb 1." The
ship under red ensign. When ordered to stop, hoisted
Italian colours and opened fire. Five salvoes from "Leander"
ended the engagement, "Ramb 1." then set on fire, abandoned
and sank within one hour, 100 prisoners.
8.
Military. Libya. Considerable movement of mechani-
cal transport has been reported in coastal area between a
point fifty miles W. of Agheila and Misurata. About fifty
enemy aircraft were seen on the ground in Misurata area.
Advance/
-2-
Advance elements of our mechanised forces drive back a
reconnaissance unit of armoured fighting vehicles, believed
German, west of Agheila.
9.
Royal Air Force. Night of 26th/27th. Three air-
craft (not four reported yesterday) are missing, three crashed
on return, one of the crew saved.
10.
A night fighter on offensive patrol probably
destroyed one enemy aircraft, and damaged another over an
aerodrome in Northern France.
11.
27th and 27th/28th. No operations took place.
12.
Malta. On 25th Hurricanes shot down two enemy
bombers, probably destroyed another, and damaged a third.
13.
Albania. Nineteen Blenheims with fighter escort
dropped 3½ tons of bombs in Tepelene area and 4 tons on
Fier with good results. Italian Fleet headquarters and two
ships off Valona were machine-gunned.
14.
German Air Force. 27th. About fifty emmy air-
craft were operating. An aircraft factory was attacked,
also 12 Royal Air Force Stations and 2 military establish-
ments. Production at factory will be reduced by about
50% for 48 hours.
15.
Night of 27th/28th. No enemy activity.
16.
Malta. It 18 now reported that during the attack
on Luqua aerodrome on 26th four further Wellingtons were
damaged.
Telegram from London dated March lst.
1.
Naval. Of convoy reported attacked February 26th/
27th now learnt one damaged ship has not been located and
one damaged now been abandoned in sinking condition.
2.
British force in Kasteloritzo was withdrawn night
of February 27th/28th. During withdrawal Jaguar attacked
with torpedoes, ship located in inner harbour, four explosions
heard. Later she located an enemy destroyer which escaped
although hit twice.
3.
Military. Eritrea. To 7 p.m. February 27th.
February 25th our forces in the North were in contact with
enemy fifteen miles northeast of Keren. Free French
force sustained fifty casualties during attack.
4.
Libya. German reconnaissance units and possibly
also units of an armoured division are operating in Libya.
There is no evidence that 8. large German force has arrived.
5.
Royal Air Force. February 28th. Three medium
bombers attacked Hotel at Quiberon believed occupied by sub-
marine
: three direct hits were scored. Our
fighters on Channel patrol probably shot down one bomber.
6.
Night of February 28th/March lst. One hundred and
sixteen aircraft attacked targets at Wilhelmshaven including
"Tirpitz" and six bombed port of Boulogne. One aircraft is
missing. Results unobserved.
7.
Albania. On 27th, nine medium bombers escorted by
9 Hurricanes attacked aerodrome at Valona with good results.
Hurricanes shot down seven enemy fighters and two more were
destroyed in collision. On February 28th, 25 Italian air-
craft shot down and nine more probably destroyed over Greek
lines.
8.
German Air Force. 28th and 28th/lst, very little
enemy activity.
9. Malta./
-2-
9.
Malta. Early on 28th parachute mines were
dropped in and near Grand Harbour, two exploded in Valetta
and caused considerable damage to property. Anti-aircraft
fire detonated one in the air and probably destroyed
one enemy aircraft.
10.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and from
British Isles.
German: One bomber probably destroyed.
British: One bomber missing.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
REGRADED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNCLASSIFIED March 4th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 2nd.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Hahfax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram from London dated March 2nd,
1.
Naval. Since commencement of hostilities
54,693 ships have been convoyed, out of which 192 British
and 31 allied and 19 neutral have been lost. Imports into
Great Britain by ships in convoy week ending February 22nd
931,433 tons. Merchant ships lost by enemy up to February
26th:
German 268 of 1,345,000 tons,
Italian 133 of 683,000 tons,
In addition 34 ships of 61,000 gross tons under enemy
control or useful to enemy have been sunk.
2.
During daylight March 1st, two Merchant ships
from Canada were bombed and severely damaged off
Cardigan Bay. East and West-bound convoys also attacked
off Kinnaird Head, 2 ships being hit and set on fire, 1 ship
torpedoed in North West approaches.
3.
Military. Italian Somaliland. Our troops
occupied Bardera on February 27th; up to the afternoon of
February 28th, prisoners taken during our advance along
the coast and at Mogadishu numbered 9,000 and many more are
surrendering in Mogadishu.
4.
Royal Air Force. Yesterday our fighters made an
offensive sweep over Northern France and destroyed 3 enemy
fighters.
5.
Night of March 1st/2nd. 131 aircraft attacked
industrial targets in Cologne and three bombed Channel ports.
Results unobserved.
6.
Eritrea. February 28th. Our aircraft dropped
over 6 tons of bombs on Asmara railway station, scoring
several direct hits.
7.
German Air Force. March lst. Daylight activity
slight. A bomber was destroyed by our fighters off the
Isle/
-2-
Isle of Wight.
8.
Night of March 1st/2nd. 110 aircraft were over
this country, bombing was widespread and not intense. One
enemy bomber was destroyed off the coast of Scotland.
9.
At Malta six J.U. 88's escorted by fighters made
an attack on March lst, Many bombs were dropped, but
only slight damage was done.
10.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and from
British Isles.
German: three fighters destroyed and two bombers
destroyed.
British: nil.
11,
Home Security. Night of March lst/2nd. Some
residential damage was caused at Hull rendering several
persons homeless and a bus depot was damaged by fire at
Southampton.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 4th, 1941
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein n. copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was dated
March 3rd, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Er. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON
DATED MARCH 3rd, 1941.
1.
NAVAL
Three coastal aircraft a.m. second
attacked convoy of seven merchant vessels
off Danish coast. One 2,000 ton was hit
amid-ships with torpedo.
2.
There is evidence that Italian re-
inforcements have recently arrived in Tripoli.
No details of strength are now available but
identifications are being sought.
3.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
Night of 2nd/2rd. 71 bombers were
sent out, principal target being cruiser at
Brest. No reports at present available.
4.
GERMAN AIR FORCE.
March 2nd. Activity slight consisting
chiefly of North Sea reconaissances. A Hurricane
shot down one enemy bomber off east coast and
2 Hurricanes damaged a Focke-Wulf off Shetland,
Night of 2nd/3rd, enemy activity negligible.
5.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and
from Great Britain.
German bombers destroyed, 1, damaged, 1.
British: 6 bombers missing.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 5th, 1941
Dear Mr. President,
-
I enclose herein a copy of
the Intest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 4th, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable,
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
Telegram received from London
dated March 4th, 1941.
Naval.
1.
Small force of bombers attacked Hipper class
cruiser at Brest night of 3rd/4th - no results known yet.
2.
Naval aircraft bombed North Harbour Massawa
after dark on March lst. Bombs hit small floating dock
believed to contain U-boat. "Upright" reports she put
one torpedo into unescorted ship south east of Sfax on
February 23rd, ship burst into flames and believed sank,
also night of February 24th/25th she hit with one torpedo
out of four the largest of 3 enemy warships either
Armando class cruiser or Navigatore class destroyer but
fate of ship not observed.
3.
A.P. trawler "Cobbers" bombed and sunk off
Lowestoft on March 3rd: troop convoy of 16 ships
totalling 314,599 G R tons has arrived at Suez.
4. Military - Bulgaria.
Reported 20 German divisions including 4
armoured and 3 motorized are moving South from
Roumania. German troops crossed the Danube at 6 points
and moving on three main routes towards Gorna Djumaya,
Provdiv and Stara Zagora. Advance units appear to have
reached a line Maritsa. Large numbers of German troops
reported in Burgas and anti-aircraft units at Varna.
5. Libya.
Total Italian Libyan prisoners taken in
Libya alone is 133,000.
6./
6.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
Night of March 2nd/3rd, weather condi-
tions at Brest were good, 53 tons of H.E.
dropped, many bursts seen around dock where enemy
cruiser reported.
7.
Night of March 3rd/4th.
72 bombors sent to industrial targets
at Cologne, 7 to cruiser at Brest and 10 to
Channel ports. One Hampden and one Stirling
missing. Fighter Commend sent four aircraft on
night offensive patrols over North West France.
One enemy aircraft probably destroyed and another
damaged. One of our aircraft missing.
8.
ALBANIA.
On March 2nd, medium bombers escorted
by fighters attacked Berat aerodrome. 2 enemy
aircraft destroyed on the ground and others
damaged.
9.
GER AN AIR FORCE.
March 3rd, patrols took place over Dover
Straits some of which flew in over East Kent.
Manston aerodrome dive bombed but material damage
slight. Our fighters destroyed one Messersmidt 109
and another enemy aircraft crashed on landing.
10.
Night of March 3rd/4th. Enemy activity
although not heavy was larger than of late. 160
aircraft plotted of which 20 probably mine
laying. Cardiff main objective and scattered
bombing occurred elsewhere.
11.
Aircraft casualties from operations
over and from the British Isles.
German/
GERMAN:
Destroyed
probable
damaged
2
1
1
BRITISH:
2 Bombers missing.
12,
HOME SECURITY.
CARDIFF
More than 50 fires started by
incendiary bombs. Considerable damage chiefly
to business premises, done by H.E. Some dis-
location of railway services.
SUNDERLAND.
An electric sub-station hit causing
dislocation of supply of several factories.
REGRADED
UNCLASSIFIED
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 7th, 1941
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 5th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram from London dated
March 5th, 1941
Naval.
Further mines dropped by aircraft Suez Canal
on March 3rd. It had been expected the Canal would be
open by March 3rd. The positions of the new mines as
plotted considered fairly accurate.
2.
"Canberra" and "Leander" P.M. March 4th, 300
miles South East of the Seychelles sighted merchant
vessel and tanker. Wintin 20 minutes both were on fire
and later sank. Merchant ship was German S.S. "Coburg"
of 7400 tons which recently left Massawa and the tanker
was Norwegian "Ketty Brovig" of 7000 tons previously on
passage from Bahrein to Lourenco Marques.
3.
On March 4th, successful operation against
fish oil plants in four principal fishing ports Lofoten
Island successfully completed by units of the Home Fleet.
4.
Prisoners taken were German or Quisling
Norwegians. Special service and Norwegian troops were
employed.
5.
Aircraft on patrol Dutch coast dropped 250
pounds of bombs Den Helder docks night of March 3rd/4th,
which caused very heavy explosion. Aircraft
reconnaissance Tripoli harbour p.m. March 3rd, showed
eight large ships, 21 medium, 24 small craft. Two miles
North were two large merchant vessels and two destroyers -
15 miles North a warship with one destroyer standing by
was seen to be on fire.
6. Military. Italian Somaliland.
We have occupied Bulo Burti, our patrols have
reached Isha Baido, and have captured 200 prisoners,
much transport and 20,000 gallons of petrol. Prisoners
now exceed 10,000.
7./
-2-
7. Bulgaria.
Sixteen of Bulgeria's seventeen infantry
divisions are now reported mobilized and movement of
Bulgarian troops towards Turkish frontier continues.
8. Royal Air Force night of March 3rd/4th.
43 tons of H.E. and 7500 incendiaries were
dropped on Cologne; a fire 3/4 of a mile long was left
burning on the West side of the river.
9.
March 4th, in the afternoon 2 sweeps were
carried out over the Channel each by 3 squadrons of
fighters but no enemy aircraft were seen. A Spitfire on
photographic reconnaissance shot down an enemy fighter
near Brest.
10.
The night of March 4th/5th, bad weather on
the Continent prevented operations.
11. Greece.
On March 3rd, Hurricanes shot down five out of
ten Italian bombers returning from Larissa.
12. German Air Force.
Night of March 4th/5th, about 50 enemy aircraft
were operating of which about 12 were minelaying in the
Thames Estuary, the remainder swept South Wales area.
One aircraft was destroyed by our night fighters and two
others are reported to have been shot down.
13.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and
from the British Isles.
German
Destroyed
Probable
Damaged
2
2
4
British
Nil
14. Home Security.
Night of March 3rd/4th. Casualties at Cardiff
estimated 46 killed and 85 seriously wounded.
15./
-3-
15.
Night of March 4th/5th. Some fires were
started in Cardiff area but were quickly under
control, Penarth railway station received a direct
hit. Very little damage, very few casualties anywhere.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REGRADED
UNCLASSIFIED
7th March, 1041
Dear Xr. President,
I enclose herein n copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 6th, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Weshington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON
DATED MARCH 6th, 1941
NAVAL
Suez Canel still closed but ships
drawing less than 20 feet may enter Port Said
through a swept channel.
2.
8 mines were exploded Liverpool Bay on
March 5th among others exploded elsewhere one
was exploded in Midway three miles above Rochester
Bridge. One Junkers 88 shot down by Sunderland
off South-West Ireland on 5th. Probably two
Blanheims shot down one Heinkel same area.
3.
Results of raid on Loften Island on 4th
German factory ship 9780 tons, seven German, 1
Norwegian small vessels, 1 armed trawler and 1
unarmed trawler destroyed. Total tonnage about
18,000 tons. 198 German prisoners of all three
services taken, also 10 Quisling Norwegians, one
German Naval officer and six ratings killed. We
suffered no damage, no casualties and reception
of our troops on shore most friendly.
4.
Cruiser torpedoed and believed sunk by
Upright on 25th now reported n. Condottieu A class.
5.
MILITARY. ETHIOPIA.
Enemy evacuated Burye on March 4th owing to
patriots pressure and are withdrawing through Debra
Marcos. 1500 Banda and 200 Golonial troops have
deserted from the enemy with their arms.
6. ALBANIA.
Italian divisions of all types in Albania
now total 24.
7.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
Night of 5th/6th. All operations
cancelled.
8.
OER A AIR FORCE.
Night of 5th/6th. Activity negligible.
MEDITERRANEAN.
Mines were again dropped in the Suez
Canal on the night of 3rd/4th and on the 5th
another bombing attack WSO made on Halfar
aerodrome Malta causing considerable damage.
9.
Aircraft casualties in operations over
and from British Isles.
GERMAN:
Destroyed
Probable
Damaged
2
7
2
BRITISH:
Destroyed - 4 fighters.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
10th March, 1941.
STREET
REGRADED
UNCL. FIED
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies
of the two latest reports received
from London on the military situation.
They were dated March 8th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Hahfax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram from London dated March 8th, 1941.
1.
Naval. Norwegian loaded tanker (3000
tons) was sunk off the East coast yesterday and a
British ship (6,400 tons) outward bound in convoy,
with general cargo, was torpedoed in the North
Western approaches early March 7th.
2.
Military. British Somaliland. Ferfer 210
miles north of Mogadishu on Harar road has been
occupied and Belet Uen aerodrome is fit for use;
the roads and bridges are intact, water plentiful
and large quantities of petrol and oil have been
captured. Patrols have been sent forward to
Oddur and Dolo (North West of Lugh Ferrandi). Among
material captured at and on the way to Mogadiscio
are 345,000 gallons of M/T petrol and 8,000 gallons
of aviation petrol.
3.
Bulgaria. German reconnaissance detachments
reached the vicinity of the Greek frontier on March
3rd and by March 5th the main concentrations were
developing in Sliveno Yambol.ares, where heavy tanks
are reported and in the Struma Valley near Gorna
Djumaya and Petrich. Estimated that 8 divisions of
German troops are in Bulgarian territory.
4.
Bulgarian divisiomappear to be disposed as
follows: Yugoslav frontier 1 motorised, 2 infantry,
2 reserve infantry forming
......
Turkish frontier, 2
motorised, 7 infantry, Macedonian frontier 4 infantry,
Southern Dobrudja 1 infantry. Bulgaria general head-
quarters is reported at Stara Zagora.
5. R.A.F./
- 2 -
5.
R.A.F. March 6th 1 medium bomber attacked
railway targets at Ghent.
Night of March 6th/7th. Operations can-
celled.
6.
G.A.F. Night of March 6th/7th. 40 air-
craft were operating over this country but only 5
came inland, the remainder were mine-laying.
7.
Malta. Malta was attacked March 5th as
reported yesterday by about 100 aircraft including
60 bombers. Damage was slight at one aerodrome
but at Hal Far barracks and hangars considerably
damaged; 4 aircraft were destroyed on the ground
and all remaining aircraft on the aerodrome were
rendered temporarily unserviceable. 11 of our
fighters intercepted and shot down 7 enemy aircraft
probably an eighth and damaged four more. Anti-
aircraft destroyed a further nine and damaged four.
One of our fighters is missing.
8.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and
from British Isles.
German destroyed one, damaged one. British
nil.
9.
Home Security. March 7th. Two R.A.F. aero-
dromes were attacked by ........; some damage to
buildings but no serious casualties.
Telegram received from London dated March 8, 1941.
1.
Naval. In the Suez Canal divers have
located mines which were counter-mined. Believed
3 mines remain to be dealtwith, expected Canal will
be open March 7th. Twenty-three mines were ex-
ploded at various home ports on March 7th.
2.
One enemy aircraft laid mines off Sayers
p.m. of March 7th. L.L. sweepers detonated these
the same afternoon. Between 14.30 and 16.30 hours
March 7th six aircraft laid mines in the Humber
entrance, fifteen were seen to drop.
3.
On March 7th convoys were attacked by U-
boat in the Western approaches and off the East
Coast by aircraft, and during the night of March
7th-8th by E-boats. Of the nine ships torpedoed
or damaged by aircraft four sinking or sunk. One
aircraft shot down one damaged.
4.
On March 7th off the Hook of Holland a 2500
ton merchant vessel was bombed and left sinking by
coastal aircraft.
5.
Ethiopia. In Gojjam area patriot operations
continue against retreating garrison of Burye. 300
prisoners and four guns have been captured and an
aeroplane shot down. 1,700 deserters have surren-
dered.
6.
Kenya Colony. Heavy rain has fallen on
Ethiopian border and many roads are under water.
7.
R.A.F. March 7th. During the day aircraft
from the Coastal Command bombed an aerodrome in
Holland hitting hangars also naval dockyard at
Denhelder and left a 2,500 ton merchant vessel in a
sinking/
- 2 -
sinking condition off the Dutch Coast.
8.
Night of March 7th-March 8th. Operations
cancelled.
9.
German Air Force. March 7th about fifty
enemy aircraft were operating overland in wide
localities and forty more were working off East
coast. One enemy aircraft was destroyed by anti-
aircraft shore battery and one by a Naval trawler,
a third hit the mast of a ship and crashed.
10. Night March 7-March 8th. Activity
negligible.
11. Malta. Night of March 6th/March 7th.
Twelve enemy aircraft made individual attacks on
various objectives without causing serious damage
or casualties.
12. March 7th. Four bombers escorted by 10 ME
109's damaged a Sunderland by machine-gun fire, shot
down a Glen Martineand also one Hurricane out of
seven which intercepted. Pilot saved. Two enemy
aircraft were probably destroyed by anti-aircraft
fire.
13. Aircraft casualties in operations over and
from British Isles. German, three destroyed.
British nil.
14. Home Security March 7th. A ball-bearing
factory was hit and seriously damaged. Thirty-six
persons were killed and forty-seven seriously injured;
production has been stopped probably for seven days.
15. Six/
- 3 -
15. Six Royal Air Force stations, a balloon
barrage centre and an infantry training centre were
attacked. Little damage and few casualties.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
REGRADED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNCL. SSIFIED
March 12th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies of the
latest reports received from London on
the military situation. They were
dated March 9th and March 10th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 10th, 1941.
1.
Naval. E Boats approaching two convoys off
East Coast night of 9th/10th, were driven off by "Worcester"
and "Southdown". No apparent damage to any ship. One Mine-
sweeper is mined and sunk off Dungeness.
2.
During attack on Malta by fifteen enemy air-
craft night of March 7th/8th, His Majesty's Ship "Imperial"
slightly damaged, S.S. "Essex" damaged by two hits and one
near miss.
3.
M.S. Trawler "Nadine" attacked by Heinkel air-
craft off Yarmouth a.m. March 8th was not damaged but she
severely damaged and set on fire the aircraft with machine
guns. Last seen diving towards the sea.
4.
Two East Coast Convoys bombed p.m. March 9th
off Aberdeen Coast - no damage - but one ship of channel convoy
in the Straits of Dover was hit by bombs night of March 9th/
10th.
5.
Military. South East Europe. Total German
divisions in South East Europe now probably twenty-eight.
Total of thirty to thirty-two divisions may be reached in the
near future. Approximately thirteen German divisions reported
in Bulgaria.
6.
Royal Air Force. March 9th and March 9th/10th.
No operations by bomber command owing to weather.
7.
Albania. On March 8th eighteen medium bombers
escorted by fighters bombed Tepelene and large enemy convoys
in the vicinity.
8.
Ethiopia. Medium bombers from Aden dropped
two and one-half tons of bombs on Diredaws.
9.
German Air Force. March 9th. In earling morn-
ing twelve Messerschmidt 109's made an ineffective attack on
/Manston
Manston aerodrome.
10.
Night of March 9th/10th. Chief attack
again against London by about 120 aircraft and subsidiary
attack was made on Portsmouth.
London. Raid lasted longer than previous
night but there was less damage. Slight damage was
caused in two docks and to house property in the East end.
Portsmouth. Some damage was done to
barracks and also in docks.
Malta. At dawn March 9th four enemy
fighters and a bomber approached at sea level and
attacked an aerodrome where one Hurricane was burnt and
another damaged. Bomber crashed on Gozo and crew were
killed.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 9th, 1941.
1.
Naval. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau were sighted
p.m. March 8th by an aircraft from H.M.S. "Malaya" whilst
escorting a convoy midway between the Canaries and Cape
Verde Islands. "Malaya" turned towards and subsequently
sighted one battle cruiser but on receiving aircraft's
report of two battle cruisers, "Malaya" retired to cover
the convoy. This convoy was attacked by U-boat one hundred
and eighty miles west of Cape Blanco early a.m. March 8th
and five merchant ships were sunk out of fifty-four.
2.
In the East Coast convoy attacked by E boats
on the night of March 7th/8th one further British merchant
ship of 2,000 tons was also sunk making total of three sunk,
two beached.
3.
His Majesty's Destroyer "Greyhound" sank Italian
submarine "Anfitrite" forty miles south of Creta on March
6th and took thirty-nine prisoners.
4.
Military. Eritrea, to 8.50 p.m. March 7th. In
the Red Sea area our troops are now ten miles North of
Keren. In Barentu area our patrols have reached a point
three miles East of Aressa.
5.
Ethiopia. In Metemma area patrict forces have
occupied a camp fourteen miles north of Gondar. In Gojjam
area retreating garrison of Burye were ambushed by Ethiopian
troops north of Dambacha and suffered three hundred casual-
ties including one hundred killed.
6.
Yugoslavia. Three armies stationed on the
Bulgarian and Roumanian frontiers are reported mobilising;
strength of Yugoslavia March 9th would therefore be about
500,000 and is expected to reach 600,000 by March 10th.
7.
Royal Air Force. March 8th no major operations
/undertaken.
undertaken.
8.
Night of March 8th/9th no night bombers sent
out owing to probable weather deterioration but nine air-
craft of the Fighter Command went to attack aerodromes in
Northern France and probably damaged two enemy aircraft.
9.
German Air Force. March 8th, only twelve air-
craft were plotted over the country during the day.
10.
Night of March 8th/9th. About 120 enemy air-
craft were operating and a short but intensive attack was
directed against London by about sixty of them; other
localities visited were South East England, East Anglia and
Portsmouth from which no serious damage or casualties have
been reported. Anti-aircraft claim three enemy aircraft
destroyed and two damaged.
11.
Malta, Night of March 7th/8th, fifteen enemy
bombers caused slight damage to a naval store.
12.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and from
the British Isles.
German: probable three, damaged four.
British: nil.
13.
Home Security. London, fifty casualties were
effected; damage of military importance was slight; fires
in London and Cheney Docks soon put out. Cafe de Paris
received a direct hit and twenty-six persons are reported
killed and over eighty injured. The North Lodge of
Buckingham Palace was demolished.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 13th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on
the military situation. It was dated
March 12th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 12th, 1941.
1.
Naval. Air reconnaissance p.m. March 10th showed
Hipper cruiser out of dry-dock and alongside jetty.
2.
One destroyer was seriously damaged and a mine
sweeping trawler and submarine floating dock sunk in air
attack on Portsmouth night of March 10th/11th.
3.
Same night destroyer "Holderness" destroyed by
direct hit from four inch guns an enemy aircraft minelaying
in the Thames Estuary.
4.
A British ship (5,250 tons) was torpedoed and sunk
by a submarine in the North Thames approaches on March 8th.
5.
Military - Balkans. There are now probably twenty-
eight German divisions in south-east Europe. Increased
railway movements into Roumania are reported and a total of
thirty - thirty-two divisions may well be reached in the
near future.
6.
Eight German divisions including motorised divisions
have entered Bulgaria via Dobrudja. Troop movements were
reported in the various districts between March 9th/10th and
large petrol, munition and food dumps at Karmovat. It would
appear that about thirteen German divisions are represented
in Bulgaria although several are unlikely to be at full
strength.
7.
Royal Air Force. Night of March 9th/10th. Thirty-nine
heavy and medium bombers attacked three Channel ports and
nineteen heavy bombers raided industrial area of Cologne.
Two aircraft are missing.
8.
Albania. Night of March 8th/9th. Harbour installa-
tions at Durazzo were successfully attacked by our bombers.
9.
March 9th. Fifteen Gladiators engaged a formation
of thirty-five enemy bombers and thirty fighters over
/Kelcyre.
Kelcyre. Six fighters and a bomber were destroyed and
one fighter and one bomber probably destroyed. One
Gladiator shot down (pilot safe), and another damaged.
10.
German Air Force. Night of March 10th/11th.
An attack was made on Portsmouth by about 150 aircraft.
Our night-fighters destroyed one bomber and another forced-
landed in East Anglia.
11.
Malta. On March 10th, enemy fighters carried out
a low-flying attack on St. Paul's Bay. One "Sunderland"
was burned and another slightly damaged. Ground defences
claimed one enemy aircraft destroyed and two damaged.
12.
Aircraft casualties over and from British Isles:-
German - Destroyed Bombers 1, destroyer.
1, night fighter
1, forced landed
Total: 3
British - Damaged
1 fighter
1 fighter missing
2 bombers missing
13.
Home Security. Portsmouth and district. Attack
was heavy. Considerable damage by fire to Royal Naval
barracks; several fires started in the dockyard where power
station and two electric workshops were damaged. Three oil
cisterns set alight at Gosport and Victualling Yards
reported burned out. Damage to utility service in the
district and some temporary railway dislocation.
14.
Bulgaria. Movement of German Air Force into
Bulgaria continues. Bulgaria anti-aircraft and fighter
defences are now under German Air Force operational command
and will co-operate with them.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
REGRADED
14th March, 1941
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein 8 copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 12th, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON
DATED 12th MARCH, 1941.
1.
NAVAL
Hipper class cruiser at Brest was
exercising in Douarnenez Bay p.m. 11th. Later
observed returning to Brest. She W.S.S unsuccess-
fully attacked by coastal aircraft night of 10th
to 11th but several bombs close to target.
2.
NIGHT OF 10th to 11th.
Reported eight mines dropped in three
separate parts of Suez Canal. Three exploded.
3.
Further report on Portsmouth raid night
of 10th to 11th. Tynedale, Marshal Soult, and
two tawlers slightly damaged. Two trawlers damaged.
4.
Naval casualties 87 killed, 224 seriously
injured. Cemper Nicholson burnt out. Total of
eight enemy aircraft destroyed that night.
5.
Worcester escorting convoy off Southwold
1.00 8.m. March 11th drove off E boats and believed
hit one with pom pom.
6.
Ursula on February 22nd west of Tripoli
sank Sicilia class transport heavily laden and
believed carrying troops, with her were one merchant
vessel and escort of three general E torpedo boats
and air escort. Heavy counter attack failed to
damage Ursula.
7.
Report received that Italian cruiser
Armando Disz troop ship Conte Rosso 18,000 tons and
Citts di Messine 2,500 tons have been sunk with
heavy loss of life.
8.
MILITARY. YUGOSLAVIA.
Report so far unconfirmed states that
that strength of Yugoslav army nearing 800,000.
9.
ROYAL A IR FORCE.
Daylight 11th. Blenheim registered direct
hit on petrol storage cistern at Rotterdam.
10.
NIGHT OF 11th/12th.
Twenty-seven Wellingtons despatched
to attack neval ship yard at Kiel. All have
returned.
11.
GERMAN AIR FORCE.
NIGHT of 10th/11th.
Now known eight enemy aircraft were
destroyed.
12,
DAYLIGHT 11th.
Activity alight. One enemy fighter
destroyed.
13.
NIGHT OF 11th/12th.
206 aircraft, 8 minelayers operated. Main
effort directed against Birmingham-Coventry area
though raids wore widespread over Midlands, as far
north 88 Manchester and Liverpool. One bomber
probably destroyed and another damaged by night
fighters.
14.
Malta was attacked on night of March 10th/
11th by twenty bombers. Damage was done to dockyard
and Luqa aerodrome. One bomber destroyed by our
fighters.
15.
Aircraft casualties in operations over
and from British Isles :-
GERMAN: Destroyed, bombers 6,
(Night of 10th/11th additional report)
probably destroyed, 1, damaged, 1, fighter destroyed,
1.
BRITISH: N11.
16.
HOME PRONT NIGHT OF 11th/12th.
Manchester area suffered most. Serious
fire now under control was started at Anglo-
American 011 Company premises at Trafford-Perk.
Ships in Salford Docks and Manchester Ship Canal
were attacked with some success. Casualties do
not appear to be heavy.
17.
In Birmingham area bombs were mostly
incondiaries damage was well restricted by fire-
fighters.
18.
At Southampton fires were started and
some 250 people rendered homeless.
19.
PORTSMOUTH, bombs fell on centre of
city end nine people were killed and seven seriously
injured.
20.
In London there were only minor incidents.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 14th, 1941.
/
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herewith a copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was dated
March 13th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON DATED MARCH
THIRTEENTH, 1941.
1. (A) Naval. Home waters: attacks by aircraft.
Norwegian ship (1,530 tons) damaged off west coast
on 10th has reached port in tow.
Night of the 11th/12th. Attack on ships in
Manchester Ship Canal resulted in one British (6,000 tons)
and one Swedish ship (1,200 tons) being sunk and two British
ships (totalling 16,900 tons) damaged. Daylight of the
12th. One British ship (7,000 tons) in home-bound convoy
with cargo of wheat seriously damaged off west English
coast and two British ships (totalling 8,670 tons) were
bombed off the East Coast.
(B) By mines. One Dutch ship (400 tons) damaged off
the South west English coast.
2.
Mediterranean. Two French ships (totalling 3,060
tons) passed Gibraltar west bound March 11th escorted by a
French mine sweeper.
3.
Military. Italian Somaliland. Our troops occupied
Dagahbur (100 miles south south east of Jijiga). On March
10th. Enemy losses since our crossing Juba River on
February 17th now estimated at over 31,000.
4.
Yugoslavia. All armies now mobilising. Covering
troops in position on all frontiers on which attack by
Germany or Italy can come.
5.
Turkey. One division has moved to Recomza area
from near Uzunkopru and a second division from the same area
is reported to have moved to East Ergen River in support.
Troops in Catalca line have been reinforced by one division.
6.
Royal Air Force. Night of 12th/13th. Total of
255 aircraft dispatched. Main targets Berlin (72), Hamburg
(88), Bremen (86), Boulogne and Calais (7). Preliminary
/reports
reports show that a large per cent of bombers attacked
their primary targets. Seven aircraft have failed to
report to their base. Five fighters were dispatched on
offensive operations against aerodromes in North France.
Six Beauforts carried out a special sweep in Skagerack
and a direct hit by torpedo was made on one enemy destroyer.
7.
Tripoli. Night of 10th/11th. Three Wellingtons
successfully attacked the harbour and another destroyed
five aircraft on the ground at Makina (forty miles south
of Sirte) and damaged several others.
8.
Rhodes. Night of the 10th/11th. Aerodromes at
Catavia and Calato were attacked by twelve bombers.
9.
Albania. Daylight. Gladiators destroyed four
fighters (G.50) and damaged three others.
10.
All our aircraft returned safely from the above
operations in the Middle East.
11.
German Air Force. Daylight of the 12th. Enemy
made two small fighter-sweeps off East Kent and an increased
number of sea reconnaissances. After an attack on Hawkinge
aerodrome, our fighters destroyed one Messerschmidt 109 and
damaged a second.
12.
Night of the 18th/13th. 230 to 250 aircraft
attacked this country, the larger proportion operating in
Liverpool area. Reports so far received show that our
fighters destroyed five, probably destroyed four and damaged
two enemy aircraft. One enemy aircraft was destroyed by
balloon barrage.
13.
At home. Home security. Heaviest and most wide-
spread attacks for some months. Greatest concentration on
Merseyside where many bombs fell on docks at Liverpool,
Wallasey and Birkenhead, but none of the damage appears
/vital
vital. A large floating crane was sunk. Seaforth wire-
less station near Liverpool suffered a major breakdown.
House property and utility services in Liverpool area have
suffered extensively. Casualties - at present - difficult
to assess but do not appear to be heavy in proportion to
the scale of the attack. In the rest of the country,
major incidents occurred only at Southampton where damage
was caused to reservoir and to Harl and and Wolff's Yard
and at St. Eval aerodrome.
14.
Aircraft casualties over and above British Isles:-
German
Destroyed.
Probably destroyed.
Damaged.
Bombers
8
5
5
Fighters
1
0
1
Totals
9
5
6
British: seven bombers missing.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 17th, 1941.
UNCLAS REGRADED STATED
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein & copy of the
latest report received from London on the
military situation. It 1s dated March
14th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram received from London
dated March 14th, 1941.
NAVAL
His Majesty's Sloop SCARBOROUGH intercepted
two Norwegian whalers sent in prize by German raider
in South Atlantic, 350 miles west of Cape Finisterre,
March 13th. Both whalers scuttled themselves, 1 German
officer, 7 ratings and 22 Norwegians were picked up.
2. Minesweeper MILFORD QUEEN attacked and
almost certainly destroyed a D.O. 17 off Great Yarmouth,
March 12th.
3. Submarine TRIUMPH sank two merchant vessels
of 2,500 tons each anchored off Melito South of Italy.
4. Correction to casualties at Portsmouth.
Night of March 10th/11th. Services: 54
killed, 113 wounded. Civilians, 10 killed, 131 wounded.
This was for the whole of the Hampshire area, not only
Portsmouth.
5. MILITARY
There is reliable evidence that German
forces in Tripolitania continue to be re-inforced mainly
by armoured units. Total German strength 80 far thought
not to exceed 1 division.
6. Royal Air Force. Night of March 12th/13th.
Bombing results very satisfactory. Targets hit included
Blohm and Voss shipyard, Hamburg, Focke Wulf factory,
Bremen, industrial and docks area in Berlin and docks
at Boulogne.
7. March 13th. 9 fighter squadrons cerried
out sweep over Northern France some escorting medium
bombers to attack Calais aerodrome. During day 3 enemy
aircraft/
-2-
aircraft destroyed, 2 probable and 1 damaged; 2
Spitfires shot down, 1 pilot missing. Merchant
vessel of 2,000 tons was hit by bomb off Norway and
another (3,700 tons) probably damaged by near miss
off Dutch coast.
8.
Night of March 13/14th.
153 bombers sent to Hamburg (139)
Rotterdam (14); some mine laying and leaflet dropping
over Northwest France also carried out. Six aircraft
missing and 1 Wellesley shot down over this country.
A Beauford torpedoed and sank 3,000 ton merchant vessel
off Dutch coast.
9.
Rhodes.
On night of March 11th/12th, 5 heavy
bombers attacked harbour and 2 aerodromes, at both
of which large fires were started.
10.
German Air Force. March 13th.
About 33 enemy aircraft approached our
coasts and 3 R.A.F. stations were attacked.
11.
Night of March 13/14th.
About 400 aircraft came over of which
about 80 concentrated on Glasgow area.
12.
Bombing was widespread and very (words
omitted)
Glasgow, Humber, Mersey Side and
Southampton areas were attacked. In Glasgow area
damage was caused to railway services and docks and
high explosives fell in 2 shipbuilding yards; fires
were started in Hillingdon industrial estate. At
Clydebank fires occured at John Brown's yards and at
a Distillery. Serious damage was caused to Royal
Ordnance Factory at Delmuir. On Merseyside considerable
damage was caused to property in Wallasey area but
no/
no vital points were hit. Some damage was caused
to industrial property in Hull.
13.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and
from the British Isles.
German:
Destroyed by day 3, by night 13, on March
12th; probably destroyed; day 2, night nil, March 12th:
damaged day 1, night 5 March 12th.
British.
7 bombers, 2 fighters (1 pilot safe)
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNCLASSIFIED
March 18, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies of the two
latest reports received from London on the military
situation. These were dated March 15th and 16th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halfax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAPH FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 15TH, 1941.
NAVAL
1. During an air attack on the Clyde area night of March
13th/14th two destroyers building damaged. Other ships
superficial damage only.
2. At Liverpool night of March 12th/13th 7 merchant vessels
were damaged.
3. Off Lowestoft and Yarmouth night of March 14th/15th E-Bo-
ats were active. "Versatile" on escort missed by 2 torpedoes.
4. Early on March 15th constal aircraft bombed docks at
Brest also warship which may have been a German cruiser.
5.
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Night of March 13th/14th. Attack on industries and
shipyards at Hamburg very ferocious; 84. tons of high explosive
and 13,000 incendiaries dropped under good conditions.
6.
NIGHT OF MARCH 14th/15th
159 aircraft sent out with main objective synthetic oil
plants at Gelsenkirchen (101 aircraft), other objectives
industrial centres at Dusseldorf (24), petroleum, harbour
at Rotterdam (13), also some mine laying. Two of our air-
craft missing. Four fighters also carried out offensive
operations over aerodromes in north west France.
7. RHODES. Some night 14 aircraft attacked 4 aerodromes
with satisfactory results.
8.
GERMAN AIR FORCE
Reports show that during the night of March 13th/14th,
13 enemy aircraft were destroyed and 6 damaged.
9. MARCH 14th. Activity limited to reconaissance flights
and sea patrols.
10. NIGHT OF 14th-15th. About 310 bombers and 69 mine-
layers came over. Attacks widespread and scattered although
main concentration was in Glasgow area. From proliminary
reports 3 enemy aircraft destroyed and one probably destroyed
/by
2. (Telegram from London Mar. 15/41)
by fighters, also one by anti-aircraft.
11. Aircraft casualties in operations over and from British
Isles night of March 14th/15th.
German: destroyed 4, probable 1
British: 2 bombers missing.
12. LIBYA. On March 11th enemy aircraft made 8 low flying
attacks on our forward troops at Agheila. Result: 2 casualt-
ies, 4 enemy aircraft shot down by anti-aircraft fire.
13. HOME SECURITY. Night of March 14th/15th. Glasgow.
Fire caused among residential property and at 2 factories, 3
tenement buildings demolished. Leeds Telephone Exchange hit.
Considerable damage to shop and industrial property, mainly
by fire. London. Some damage at Tilbury Docks. Plymouth.
Some damage was caused in Naval Dockyard and a training estab-
lishment was hit.
14. Cesualties. Night of March 12th/13th. Liverpool and
Birkenhead 156 killed and 70 seriously injured.
Night of March 13th/14th. Glasgow, Clyde
Bank. 115 killed. March 15th. Ordinance factory at Dalmuir,
production temporarily stopped owing to interruption of
utility services. No extensive damage reported.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 16th, 1941.
NAVAL
Britomart bombed in Rye Bay on March 15th has
proceeded to harbour. Officer commanding and 88 killed.
2.
P.M. March 15th. Four British merchant ships in
area about seven hundred miles west - North-west from Azores
made enemy raider signals, two reported being shelled.
Further signal received indicated one ship being abandoned.
3.
During air raid on Manchester 11/12th 10 merchant
ships damaged in varying degrees. One sank.
4.
A.M. March 16th. British forces successfully
landed east and west of BERBERA supported by bombardment by
His Majesty's ships.
5.
Photographs A.M. of March 15th show HIPPER class
cruiser alongside torpedo boat stations. Three merchant
ships off Ostend attacked by bomber command aircraft p.m.
March 15th. One ship near miss. LORIENT attacked by air-
craft night of March 15th/16th. Seventeen mines were detonat-
ed home waters March 15th.
6.
R.A.F. Night of March 15th/16th. Weather conditions
reduced operations; 37 aircraft were sent to LORIENT submar-
ine base and 21 to industrial target at Dusselldorf; one
aircraft has not returned.
7.
Albania. Over Kelcyre on March 14th fifteen British
fighters intercepted an enemy formation of 15 bombers escort-
ed by 36 fighters and definitely destroyed seven enemy air-
craft and probably five more. Two of our fighters shot down
but pilots saved.
8.
German Airforce. March 15th. Strong defensive
patrols were maintained in Dover Straits. A few aircraft
penetrated a short distance over Kent; our fighters probably
destroyed one Messerschmidt 109.
9.
Night of March 15th/16th. About 100 enemy aircraft
/were
2. (Telegram from London Mar. 16/41.)
were operating over wide areas although London was the chief
objective. Country was clear shortly after midnight. Owing
to deteriorating weather conditions action by our night fight-
ers was almost impossible.
10.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and from the
British Isles. German: destroyed one, probable one, damaged
one. British: one bomber missing.
11.
Home Security. Night of March 15th/16th. Several
bombs were dropped in London and Home Counties but no important
damage reported although casualties, considering the scale of
the attack appear rather high: preliminary estimate 70 killed
and 200 wounded. Some fires were started in the dock area,
at a paint factory and a gas works but were soon put out.
12.
Clyde Bank. Situation reported completely in hand
although damage especially to dwelling houses is extensive.
An orderly voluntary evacuation from the area of
about 205,000 has taken place. Morale is excellent. Casualties
night of March 14th/15th reported 120 killed and 394 wounded.
BRITISH
EMBASSY,
UNCLASSIED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
19th March, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein D. copy of the Intest
report received from London on the military
situation. It was dated March 17th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Hahjax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON MARCH 17, 1941.
l.
NAVAL. Part of Suez Canal open; Southern
portion remains closed.
2.
British Indian troops landed each side of Berbera
dawn March 16th British flag again flew over the town.
H.M.S. GLASGOW and destroyers silenced some artillery and
M.G. fire. 100 prisoners more coming in. Our casualties
negligible.
3.
Three more merchant ships reported attacked by
raider in the Atlantic on March 16th. H.M.S. Rodney
sighted warship raider and probably tanker p.m. of March
16th. She chased but lost the enemy warship which disappeared
in a North-easterly direction in the dark. The tanker also
got away in the dark.
4.
NIGHT OF MARCH 14/15th. Swordfish aircraft
attacked shipping at Valona, scored one hit with torpedo.
5.
MILITARY ERITREA. On March 15th attacks were
launched against Keren. A peak 3 miles west of the town was
captured and a footing geined on the heights 2½ miles South-
west of Keren. Strong enemy resistance encountered.
6.
ALBANIA. Italian offensive appears broken for
the present. The Greeks claim 3000 prisoners and very heavy
casualties to four Italian formations.
7.
GREECE. Civilian morale at Athens is good; less
satisfactory in Salonika. Large number of refugees moving
westwards from Thrace and E. Macedonia.
8.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. Night of March 16/17th. All
operations cancelled.
9.
ALBANIA. Aerodromes at Berat and Valona were
bombed on March 15th. A petrol dump Was set on fire and four
aircraft destroyed on the ground.
10.
ETHIOPIA. The same day S.African Airforce Hurric-
anes shot down 2 enemy fighters over Driedawa and destroyed
/5
2. (Telegram from London Mar. 17)
5 aircraft on the ground.
11.
GERMAN AIR FORCE. March 16th. Very slight
activity.
12.
Night of Mar. 16/17th. About 156 enemy aircraft
operating. One crashed near Salisbury and another WELB
damaged by our fighters.
13.
HOME SECURITY. Night of Mar. 16/17th. Main
attack was upon Bristol area. Several fires started all
under control by 5 a.m. Large number of gus mains broken
and supplies may be considerably reduced for 8. period.
Damage to several water mains some of them large. Very
little serious damage to electrical services. No damage
to important factories reported except to some plant and
buildings at the National Smelting Works at Avonmouth.
14.
CORRECTION. Telegram of March 16 paragraph 12.
For figure "250,000" read "25,000".
PSF
28
Report
dituation matary
BRITISH
EMBASSY,
REGRADED
WASHINGTON, D.C.
UNCLASSIFIEDarch 20th, 1941
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of a
telegram which has just been received
here for you from the Prime Minister.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram from London dated March 19th, 1941.
On March 8th the German battle cruisers
"Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" approached one of our
convoys north of Cape de Verde island but on seeing our
battleship escort retreated. On the morning of the
15th our shipping which was returning independently
to America was attacked by them at a point about five
hundred miles south-east of Newfoundland where owing
to fog on the Great Banks the shipping is at this season
compelled to concentrate. Several ships were sunk by
gun fire.
2.
The attack was renewed on the sixteenth near
the same area where three more ships were sunk. In
the evening one enemy warship with a tanker in company
was sighted by one of our battleships guarding a convoy
continuously before dark but was lost sight of as night
fell. The presence of these battle cruisers 80 far to
the west of the thirtieth meridian is the latest phase
in the battle of the Atlantic. While these powerful
raiders are our the whole of our available battleship
strength has to be employed on escorting convoys but
there are many ships on the seas with no protection.
3.
The enemy appears to have based himself on the
central areas of the North Atlantic where he maintained
his supply ships and from thence he carried out raids
against our various routes. This central area is almost
unknown water to us today because with the multiplicity
of calls on our limited resources for convoy escort we
have no vessels to spare to round up hostile supply ships
and search the areas. Moreover against these two battle
cruisers our light forces would be thrown away.
-2-
4.
It would be a very great help if some
American warships and aircraft could cruise about in
this area as they have a perfect right to do without
any prejudice to neutrality. Their mere presence
might be decisive as the enemy would fear that they
might report what they saw and we could then despatch
an adequate force to try to engage them. The more
ships that go out to cruise and the sooner they go
the greater advantage.
5.
I will report any further enemy moves of
which we become aware.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE
WASHINGTON
March 20, 1941
My dear Mr. President:
This afternoon the British Ambassador left with
me the accompanying note, together with its enclosure
which is a copy of a telegram for you from the Prime
Minister. A copy of this telegram from London has
been made and transmitted to Admiral Stark.
Will you let me have, at your convenience, the
text of the reply you desire made so that I may trans-
mit it to Mr. Churchill through our Embassy in London.
Believe me
Encs.
The President,
The White House.
PERSONAL AND PRIVATE
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States
of America,
Washington, D. C.
Fib
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 21st, 1941.
REGRADED
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies of
the two latest reports received from
London on the military situation. They
are dated March 18th and 20th respectively.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of American,
Washington, D.C.
Telegram from London dated March 18th.
1.
Naval. Hipper class cruiser has left Brest.
2.
23 mines were detonated on the 17th, between
Shoeburyness and Sheppey.
3.
Dutch 7000 ton merchant ship torpedoed p.m. March
17th 200 miles west of Dakar.
4.
At 05.52 March 18th, coastal Beaufort Aircraft
sank 5000 ton enemy merchant vessel off Frisian Islands.
5.
Three convoys in the Thames Estuary were bombed
March 17th, but only one ship of 2200 tons damaged.
6.
Military. South East Europe. Minimum of 32
German divisions now believed to be in South East Europe,
of these - 13 including possibly two armoured and three
motorised - believed to be in Bulgaria. Several more
divisions probably moving into Bulgaria from Roumania.
7.
Albania. Italian casualties in recent operations
reported by Greek sources 25,000 - excluding 3,000 prisoners.
15,000 of these believed to have been suffered by three
divisions.
8.
British Somaliland. Berbera Harbour has been
swept and unloading of stone is in progress. Air reconnais-
sance reports no signe of the enemy on the roads leading to
Berbera.
9.
Eritrea. To 9.30 p.m. March 16th. North of
Keren-Agordat road our troops have maintained their positions.
On the 16th, 200 of the enemy surrendered west of Keren, and
on the South Road our troops captured the heights 21/2 miles
Southwest of Keren, taking 400 prisoners and repelling two
counter attacks. Total number of prisoners estimated at
800; some said that our bombing and artillery have inflicted
heavy casualties.
10.
Royal Air Force.
Night of 17th/18th. 82
Bombers were sent to Wilhelmshaven-Bremen and Rotterdam.
11./
-2-
11.
Libya. Night of 15th/16th. Heavy bombers
successfully attacked enemy aerodromes near Tripoli-
Sirte and destroyed four aircraft on the ground.
12.
Albania. Night of 15th/16th. Aerodromes at
Tirana and Valona were successfully attacked, one
Wellington is missing.
13.
Ethiopia. In Keren area on the 15th and 16th,
our aircraft bombed and machine-gunned enemy positions and
obtained direct hits on gun emplacements. One fighter is
missing. Seven enemy aircraft were damaged on the ground
at Dire Dawa; two Hurricanes are missing, one pilot safe.
14.
German Air Force. 17th. Only slight enemy
activity, One enemy bomber damaged by our fighters.
Night of 17th/18th. Very little enemy activity.
15.
On the 13th, two Italian fighters machine-gunned
a landing ground in Southeast Ethiopia and shot down a
Hurricane taking off; both were destroyed.
16.
In the Clydeside and Merseyside, damage to industry
is less than at first estimated. In the Clydebank - only
two out of six important factories on war-work were seriously
affected. House property has, however, suffered chiefly.
Telegram from London dated March 20th.
1.
Naval. 15 U-boats at Dieppe on March 18th and
on March 19th. 14 U-boats at Lorient.
2.
Helvellyn, small anti-aircraft ship bombed and sunk
Surrey Dock night of 19th-20th.
3.
Supplies of forces Western Desert being maintained
through Mersa-Tobruk. All other captured N. African
ports useable except Benghazi where anti-aircraft defences
still weak.
4.
Naval aircraft laid mines at Tripoli night of
March 18th-19th, also bombed and scored one hit and two near
misses on 7,000 ton ship and started fires on the quays.
5.
On the 9th Utmost torpedoed merchant ship heavily
laden believed carrying troops. Ship believed sunk. On the
10th the Unique sank escorted Italian merchant ship of 2600
tons 100 miles off Tripoli.
6.
Royal Air Force. Night of 19th-20th. 36 heavy
bombers sent to attack industrial area Cologne and two oil
depots Rotterdam. All returned safely.
7.
Night of 17th-18th. Heavy bombers dropped 7½ tons
of bombs on docks at Durazzo and following day 7 medium bombers
escorted by Gladiators attacked enemy camps and mechanical
transport in Tepelene area.
8.
German Air Force, 19th. Only alight enemy
activitiy. Our fighters destroyed one enemy bomber and one
fighter; we lost one Hurricane.
9.
Night of 19th-20th. A concentrated attack by about
250 aircraft made on London. One enemy aircraft reported
destroyed by anti-aircraft and another damaged by night fighters,
Large number of fires of which 16 were major. About 1600
pumps used and all fires under control by 6.30 a.m. Attack
chiefly fell on docks and East End causing considerable
material/
-2-
material damage. Six gas installations and several
factories and industrial premises received damage.
10.
Eritrea. During enemy air attack at Agordat
on the 18th one Hurricane destroyed, another damaged.
11.
Bulgaria. Estimated there are now about 300
German operational aircraft in the country.
12.
Aircraft casualties in operations over and from
British Isles. German: by fighters: destroyed two,
damaged one. By anti-aircraft: destroyed one. British:
one fighter.
File
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 21st, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on
the military situation. It was dated
March 19th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
REGRADED
UNCLASSIFIED
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
COPY OF TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON
MARCH 19TH, 1941.
1.
Naval One anti-submarine trawler sunk and one
slightly damaged by Fokke-Wulf aircraft ninety miles
West-North of Blacksod Bay on March 16th.
2.
Expect Suez Canal to be reopened March 19th.
3.
During night of March 16-17 Tripoli Harbour bombed
and large fires started. A Swordfish aircraft torpedoed
at Valona a cruiser or destroyer. Other Swordfish also
attacked shipping at Durazzo scoring two certain - two
probable - hits.
4. R.A.F. Night of March 17-18. During raids on
Wilhelmshaven and Bremen three enemy night-fighters were
shot down by our bombers.
5. Night of March 18-19. 162 Aircraft were sent to
attack industrial objectives at Kiel (100 heavies) and
Wilhelmshaven (43 Medium) and upper Harbour at Rotterdam.
All but one have returned.
6. G.A.F. March 18. A few enemy fighters penetrated
inland over Kent and Sussex and some reconnaissance flights
were reported. Our fighters destroyed two enemy aircraft.
7. Night of March 18-19. About 390 enemy aircraft were
operating an area East of a line - Isle of Wight - of these
100 have attacked Hull, Middleborough and Scarborough and
about 230 were active against the Midlands and East Anglian
Aerodromes. The remainder were engaged in Bristol Channel
and Southampton areas and in mine laying. About 40 passed
over London. No fighter interceptions reported.
8. Aircraft casualties - over and from the British Isles.
German - 5 destroyed.
British - 1 bomber missing.
BRITISH
EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
24th March, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on the
military situation. It was dated March
21st.
Believe me,
REGRADED
Dear Mr. President,
UNCLASSIFIED
Very sincerely yours,
Halifax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 21st, 1941.
NAVAL. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau sighted by
Naval aircraft at 18.30 hours March 20th about 600
miles West North-west of Finisterre, course North 20
knots. Low visibility prevented night shadowing or
attack by aircraft. Hunt by Naval Forces today.
2.
Suez Canal open 19th. Illustrious through.
3.
Rosaura armed boarding vessel mined and sunk
off Tobruk p.m. 18th.
4.
P.M. 20th. Coastal aircraft made several
attacks on E. Boats off the east coast, dive bombing
and machine gunning. Several near misses and many
hits by machine guns.
5.
A Beaufort near missed a drifter off Ame-
land. Crew abandoned ship.
6.
Between the 12th and 17th Naval aircraft
at Valona torpedoed 20,000 tons liner, 8,000 tons
merchant ship and scored direct bomb hit on cruiser
or large destroyer.
7.
At Durazzo Naval Aircraft scored hits on
two ships.
8.
Strong Force of heavy bombers attacked
Lorient night of 20th/21st, also extensive mine-
laying carried out by aircraft at various occupied
ports.
9.
R.A.F. Night of 20th/21st. 24 heavy
bombers including three Wellesleys sent to Naval
Base at Lorient and 42 mine-laying aircraft to
occupied Atlantic ports. All returned but one.
10.
GERMAN AIR FORCE. Night of 20th/21st.
150 enemy aircraft plotted, of total 15 probably
mine-laying. Plymouth and London attacked by 65
and 45 aircraft respectively. Plymouth many fires
/started
2. (Telegram March 21st, 1941)
started no serious damage elsewhere.
11.
Aircraft casualties in operations over
and from the British Isles: German by Naval Drifter,
one destroyed.
British: nil.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
24th March, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on the
military situation. It was dated March
22nd.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
REGRADED
Very sincerely yours,
UNCLASSIFIED
Helifer
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON MARCH 22nd, 1941.
1.
NAVAL. Last week the first occasion
since the beginning of August 1940 on which imports
in convoy into the United Kingdom exceeded 1 million
tons.
2.
During the week ending March 19th 822
ships convoyed and 10 lost in convoy.
3.
Two enemy battle cruisers and a destroyer
reported by aircraft 130 miles WSW from BREST P.M.
March 21st steering East. The weather has impeded
further search.
4.
R.A.F. March 21st. Nine medium bombers
attacked Enemy shipping off the Dutch and Belgian
Coasts; a direct hit reported on the stern of 5,000
ton tanker.
5.
Night of March 21st-22nd. Eighty air-
craft sent out -- 66 to Lorient, 6 to OSTEND - 7
on mine-laying and one to drop leaflets over BRITTANY.
Two not yet reported back.
6.
G.A.F. Little activity.
7.
Night of March 21st-22nd. About 170
employed chiefly against Plymouth.
8.
HOME SECURITY. PLYMOUTH. Night of
March 20th-21st. Casualties estimated at 95 killed
and 300 wounded. Night of March 21st-22nd. Many
thousands of incendiary bombs dropped in addition to
H.E.'s. Fires more serious than on the previous
night, and direct water supply failed. Owing to dis-
location of telephone service during previous night
and to the movement of the report centre, details
so far are incomplete but only slight damage to dock-
yard and Naval establishments reported. The municipal
buildings, the G.P.O. and an area around the Guildhall
reported burned.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 25th, 1941.
SECRET
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on
the military situation. It was dated
March 23rd.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
REGRADED
Very sincerely yours,
UNCLASSIFIED
havie Butter
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM RECEIVED FROM LONDON DATED
MARCH 23rd, 1941.
1.
Naval. Nothing more seen of Scharnhorst,
Gneisenau. Weather on March 22nd prevented air
reconnaissance except over St. Nazaire.
A.M. March 22nd. "Severn" reported enemy
merchant raider eight hundred miles west north-west
from Fredericktown steering eastward at eighteen
knots. By 18.45 "Severn" lost touch. Raider
resembled Weser 9,197 tons and was reported having
altered course to westward.
3.
Mine-sweeper Trawler bombed and sunk at
Plymouth (words omitted) night of March 21st - 22nd.
On that night during air raid in Plymouth some
damage done south yard of Royal Military barracks,
Royal Navy hospital. Naval casualties very slight.
4.
Military. Albania. Reported fortifications
are being constructed between Fieri and Hassan Beut
(north-west of Berat).
5.
Bulgaria. Bulgarians have ten or eleven
infantry mobile divisions Turkish frontier. Two
infantry divisions Greek frontier. Three or four
infantry one mobile division Yugo-slav frontier.
6.
Royal Air Force. Night of March 21st and
March 22nd. Fifty-three tons of high explosives
dropped on submarine bases at L'Orient. Bursts seen
in docks and on power station. Minelaying operations
successfully completed. A Blenheim scored two direct
hits on a 2,000 ton merchant vessel Egersund harbour
and set her on fire.
7.
Night of March 22nd/23rd. Operations
/cancelled.
cancelled.
8.
German Air Force. March 22nd. Some
minor unsuccessful attacks made on shipping off
the East Coast.
9.
Night of March 22nd/23rd. Activity
negligible. One H.E. 111 hit a balloon cable at
Hull and crashed and another aircraft was damaged
by anti-aircraft fire.
10.
On March 22nd, ten Junkers 88's preceded
by twelve M.E. 109's bombed Grand Harbour, Malta,
damaging buildings in the dockyard. Eight Hurricanes
intercepted and destroyed one M.E. 109. One
Hurricane was shot down and four others have not
returned.
11.
Aircraft casualties over and from the
British Isles.
German: one destroyed, one damaged.
British: two bombers missing, March 21st/22nd.
12.
Home Security.
London. Night of March 19th/20th. Casualty figure
461 killed.
Plymouth. Nights of March 19th/20th/21at/22nd.
Preliminary estimate about 150 killed and 230
seriously wounded. 5,000 persons homeless; trunk
water mains intact but supply interrupted in some
districts. Serious fire damage to East side of one
dock.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
26th March, 1941.
SE
Dear Mr. President,
In the absence of the Ambassador I
enclose herein copies of the latest reports
received from London on the military situation.
These were dated March 24th and 25th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
REGRADED
Very sincerely yours,
UNCL. STRIED
have Butter
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON
MARCH 25th, 1941.
1.
Naval. Night of 24th-25th. "E" boats active off
NORFOLK Coast. Though one torpedo boat sighted by "Worcester"
no engagement reported and "&" boats appeared to be driven
off from the convoys.
2.
Merchant vessel intercepted and scuttled off
PERIM on March 23rd was German "ODER" 8,516 tons.
3.
On the 24th, Bomber Command Aircraft sank small
ship off the Hook of Holland.
4.
MALTA - dockyard attacked by 6 air-
craft at 4 a.m. March 24th. Some damage to buildings and
small Ex-Italian merchant vessels.
5.
MILITARY. ERITREA to 7.50 p.m. March 23rd. Night
of the 21st-22nd March, an enemy battalion with three light
tanks again counter-attacked 2½ miles South-West of KEREN
and was repulsed. Successful mortar action compelled enemy
to vacate hill 4 miles West of Keren.
6.
YUGOSLAVIA. At least 21 out of 30 divisions are
now mobilised.
7.
S.E. EUROPE. A minimum of at least 35 German
divisions are now believed to be in Roumania and/or Bulgaria.
Rail movements suggest further reinforcements likely in the
near future. 16 divisions and elements of 5 more believed
already in Bulgaria.
8.
ETHIOPIA. GABALLAT sector - Patriots astride
CHELGA-GONEA road.
9.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. March 24th. Blenheims attacked
docks at Havre and Cherbourg and also shipping in the Channel.
One is missing.
10.
Night of 24th-25th March -- operations cancelled.
11.
ALBANIA. On March 23rd, our bombers and fighters
attacked BERAT aerodrome and destroyed two enemy fighters
in the air and 4 more on the ground. We lost one Hurricane
/but
2.
but the pilot is safe.
12.
GERMAN AIR FORCE. March 24th. Enemy activity
slight. Three Royal Air Force Stations attacked at dawn;
at one a hangar was destroyed and four Hurricanes damaged.
Enemy casualties during the day were - 2 destroyed
2 probable
2 damaged.
13.
Night of March 24th-25th. No enemy activity.
14.
LIBYA. March 23rd, two enemy aircraft machine
gunned SOLUCH damaging railway station and destroyed some
rolling stock and 12,000 gallons of petrol.
15.
DODECANESE - Considerable increase in activity
of the Italian airforce in the Aegean Sea and evidence of
small increase of Italian fighters and long-range bombers
in the Dodecanese area.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON
MARCH 24th, 1941.
NAVAL. During air attack on Malta yesterday,
British cruiser and destroyer slightly damaged by near
misses, 2 British merchant vessels received direct hits
and some damage; some damage in dockyard.
2.
His Majesty's ship "Leander" intercepted French
ship (5,300 tons) off Mauritius March 23rd and sent her
to Mauritius under armed guard.
British sloop intercepted merchant vessel off
Perim March 23rd which later blew herself up.
3.
GREECE. Morale of army in Macedonia excellent;
that of civilian population is satisfactory though some
evacuation frontier villages and Salonica area. Govern-
ment tried to prevent evacuation but large-scale movement
of refugees probable when hostilities commence.
4.
ROYAL AIR FORCE. Night of March 23rd-March 24th.
128 heavy and medium bombers sent to industrial targets
in Berlin, Keil and Hanover docks, Calais and an oil
plant in Rotterdam. One medium bomber missing.
5.
GERMAN AIR FORCE. March 23rd. Very little
enemy activity. Two enemy bombers destroyed and two more
damaged.
6.
Night of March 23rd-March 24th. Only 23 aircraft
came in overland.
7.
MALTA. On March 23rd 2 large formation of dive-
bombers and fighters, dive-bombed convoy in Grand Harbour.
From preliminary reports, at least 9 dive-bombers were
destroyed by our fighters and 4 other aircraft by anti-
aircraft fire. A Hurricane was shot down but the pilot safe.
8.
ALBANIA. On March 22nd, 5 Italian bombers escort-
ed by 15 fighters attacked Paramythia Aerodrome (S.W. of
Yanina) without success; later 12 fighters machine-gunned
aerodrome, destroying 3 Blenheims on the ground and
/damaging
2.
damaging another, also a Wellington. One enemy
fighter reported destroyed and another damaged by anti-
aircraft fire. A third attacked aerodrome, was driven
off by our fighters.
9.
AIRCRAFT CASUALTIES in operation over and
from British Isles: German: Bombers destroyed 2;
damaged 2. British: One Bomber missing.
10.
HOME SECURITY. Only a few minor incidents
during the period.
Flessingly hundeng
BRITISH EMBASSY,
Patitary
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 27th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
In Lord Halifax's absence in
New York I send you herewith, on Mr.
Churchill's instructions, copies of two
telegrams received at the Foreign Office
today from the British Minister in
Belgrade. I also enclose the text of a
message for you from the Prime Minister
regarding the situation in Yugoslavia.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
UNCLASSIFIED
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
Telegram addressed by His Majesty's Minister
at Belgrade to the Foreign Office on the
morning of March 27th.
Military coup d'etat took place
two twenty a.m. this morning no casualties in
Belgrade. President of the Council and a number
of other Ministers including Minister of War
have been placed under arrest. I have as yet no
news regarding Prince Paul (whom Minister of War
told me last night was leaving Belgrade for a
few days rest) and his wife but there is a rumour
that they have left the country. Officers guarding
police station demand young King will be proclaimed
and that General Simovitch will head the government.
No news as yet from Provinces.
Telegram addressed by His Majesty's Minister
at Belgrade to the Foreign Office on the
morning of March 27th.
I shall see new President of the Council
as soon as possible and if as I anticipate his
policy is more satisfactory from our point of view
than that of the last Government I shall assure him
of the support of His Majesty's Government.
I hope you will agree that in the
present situation we are bound to do all we
can to help and encourage the elements prepared
to resist German penctration. If new Government
shows readiness to share in Greek heroic
resistance, we propose to recognise it at once
as the Government of Yugoslavia, and extend to
it in the fullest possible measure the aid which
we are already giving to Greece. We should
encourage the Yugoslavians to roll up the
Italians in Albania which would produce result
of prime importance and give them a good packet
of arms. I trust that you will take similer line
and will sustain the new Government with promise
of America's powerful support and backing.
TELEGRAM SENT BY BRITISH MINISTER IN BELGRADE
TO FOREIGN OFFICE ON MARCH 26th, 1941.
At my request I was afforded an interview
with General Simovitch (Chief of Yugoslav Air Force)
this morning. As this officer is head of an organisation
intending to carry out a coup d'etat meeting was arranged
with great secrecy. The General seemed to be in very
good health and had an appearance of alertness, energy
and ability which I have rarely observed among senior
officers in Serbian Army. He was confident in his
speech but cautious in his utterances and gave the
impression of sincerity, truthfulness and a belief in
what he said. For the sake of simplicity in recording
a conversation which ranged over various subjects it
is summarized as follows:
(a) He stated that there was no doubt that
the country felt very strongly about signing of pact
with Germany and wished to repudiate both the pact and
present Government. They understood that this almost
certainly meant war and they preferred this alternative
to continuing on present lines.
(b) There existed an organisation which
was working for the overthrow of present Government.
General had confidence in its success and he asked us
to have confidence in it and him. We should not have
to wait more than a few days before coup d'etat.
(o) He was anxious to know how many troops
we had in Greece and hoped that we would send a great
many there and that we intended to defend Salonica.
I replied that we must consider our left flank and this
depended/
- 2 -
depended a great deal on the Serbs.
(d) He foresaw that Yugoslavia would go to
war in Albania immediately after the coup d'etat.
He asked if Turks would then join in to which I
replied that it was very possible but that I had
no positive assurance regarding exact circumstances
he described.
(e) He then asked what could the British
do to help Yugoslavia if she went to war against
the Italians, Bulgarians and Germans. I replied
in the sense of Secretary of State's telegram from
to Cairo of March 25th. He seemed impressed by
conception of a common pool for materials and asked
if it included supply of food to which I replied
that although I spoke on this matter without precise
authority, I felt sure that it did.
(f) He appeared to be disappointed that we
could not promise precise numbers and quantities of
war material but agreed that they should do well
out of Italian loot in Albania. He feared however
that types of weapons were not the same and that
Italian ammunition could not therefore reinforce
Yugoslav units. Reserves of 76.5 and 75 mm. ammunition
for field artillery would be required.
(g) In answer to a question he replied that
the Prince Regent and even the President of the Council
appeared to be very depressed over the signing of the
pact. This may indicate that the Prince Regent intends
to try and remain in power in the event of the Government
being/
- 3 -
being overthrown. From an officer on General
Simovitch's staff I hear that it is intended to
hand the Prince Regent over to the British.
The impression I gained from journalists
as a whole was that the General was now committed to
a course of action from which nothing would deter
him. Please inform General Wavell for his own
secret information, but otherwise regard as highly
secret as any leakage would compromise chance of
success for the coup d'etat.
1
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
March 28th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of the
latest report received from London on the
military situation. It was dated March
26th, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
REGRADED
UNCLA
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
Telegram from London dated March 26th, 1941.
NAVAL,
Thick weather has continued to
prevent observation by aircraft of shipping
in Brest. Position of German battle cruisers
still unknown.
2.
"Britannia" British (8,799) tons at
10.55 March 25th reported shelled by Warship
raider 480 miles South of Cape Verde Islands.
3.
"Memnon" British 7,506 tons was tor-
pedoed 270 miles north east of Cape Verde Islands
on the 11th.
4.
"Sturgeon" toppedoed south bound tanker
probably Norwegian "Drafn" 8,205 tons off Obrested
p.m. March 20th. Tanker last seen with only
after part above water.
5.
British 1,100 ton snip in convoy off
Sheringham night of March 24th-25th fired three
bursts at 200 It. range into E boat whichwas
stopped when last seen.
6.
Military. March 24th enemy employing
M13 tanks occupied Fort Agheila and by evening
had advanced 18 miles furthereast and then
turned south east.
7.
German motorized column believed to be
operating in the neighbourhood or Bran (about
375 miles South of Tripoli).
8.
Royal Air Force.
March 20th; minor operations only
against enemy shipping in the channel. 1 Beaufort
missing - at night no bombers despatched owing
to bad weather.
9/
-2-
9.
German Air Force. March 25th;
during daylight only nine aircraft flew overland.
Allied convoys were unsuccessfully attacked off
east coast, Our fighters damaged L wo enemy
aircraft.
10.
No enemy activity over Great Britain
at night.
11.
Malta. March 24th, in the afternoon
Grand Harbour ineffectually attacked by 10
J.U. 88's escorted by 20 ME 109's-. Enemy avoided
contact with our fighters but one enemy aircraft
probably destroyed by anti-airorart fire and
probably two damaged.
12.
Aircraft casualties in operations over
and from British Isles. Germans; two aircraft
damaged. British: one Beaufort missing.
13.
Home Security. Afternoon of March 25th.
Very slight damage caused by bombs dropped at
Ports Lade Sussex Evercreech Junction, Somerset
and Gorleston, Norfolk. No bombs dropped during
the night.
14.
Plymouth. As the result of raids on
March 20-2lst all buildings within an area of
a mile east and west and one sixth of a mile
north and south of Guildhall a re to be demolished.
3
Secret
TELEGRAM TO BRITISH EMBASSY, WASHINGTON
FROM FOREIGN OFFICE DATED MARCH 28th,
We are much concerned at recent heavy
increase in German pressure on Portugal. This pressure
is taking the form of (a) propagenda in the German press
and wireless often minatory in character and containing
frequent references to alleged British and United States
designs on Portuguese territory. (b) A greet increase
in the numbers of German officials, business men and
tourists in Portugal, who may be organizing Fifth Column.
activities and have already had some effect on Portuguese
press. There are reports of increased German influence
over Portuguese international (sic) police. (c) Increased
activity of Germans in Cape Verde Islands.
2.
There are accordingly serious indications
that Germany is preparing the ground for possible action
in the Iberian Peninsula.
3.
Control of Portugal would give Germany working
advantages in the battle of the Atlantic and would also put
an end to any serious possibility of Spanish resistance
to German pressure. The likelihood of an air-borne or
sea-borne invasion accompanying an internal coup of
German kind cannot be excluded in view of the comparatively
defenceless position of Portugal. Transit through Spain
might then be unnecessary.
4.
We have warned Portuguese Government of the
dangers of German infiltration and there is no doubt of
their desire to resist German pressure. But it is
uncertain whether in view of the limited military
support which we can at present afford, the Portuguese
Government will withstand the continued heavy pressure or in
the end offer armed resistance to the German attack.
5/
- 2 -
5.
We are doing and will continue to do everything
possible to stiffen Portuguese morale but our means to
action are at present limited and we feel that one of
the most effective steps which could be taken would be
the return to the Tagus of the United States naval
squadron which was withdrawn early in the war.
6.
Please approach United States Government and inform
them of our fears that the situation in Portugal may develop
unfavourably, that we cannot effectively go to the help
of Portugal at the present moment, and that in our view
a most effective step to strengthen Portuguese morale
and resistance to German pressure would be for the United
States Government to send back one or more United States
war ships to Portuguese waters immediately. The United
States Government might also like to consider a naval visit
to the Portuguese Atlantic Islands.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
SECRET
March 29th, 1941.
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein a copy of
the latest report received from London
on the military situation. It was
dated March 27th, 1941.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
REGRADED
Very 8 incerely yours,
UNCLASSIFIED
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D. C.
CORRIGENDUM.
For paragraph 14 in telegram from London
dated March 26th please substitute following paragraph:
Plymouth. As a result of raids on March
20th - 21st all buildings within an area of one quarter
of a mile east and west and one sixth of a mile north
and south of Guildhall are to be demolished.
TELEGRAM FROM LONDON DATED MARCH 27TH, 1941.
NAVAL. Mediterranean Fleet operated in Central
Mediterranean 21st to 24th covering convoys. No
enemy surface craft sighted. One enemy aircraft
shot down and at least one other damaged.
2.
His Majesty's Ship York torpedoed and
damaged "Suda Bay" 26th Oiler "Peracles" torped-
oed and damaged at same time, but able to 8 team.
3.
Traffic normal in Suez Canal.
4.
As result of bombingattack on British
convoy south-east of Crete, one Greek ship sunk
and one Norwegian ship abandoned. Another vessel
alsobelieved sunk.
5.
British aircraft terpedoed 6000 ton
merchant vessel off Ymuiden.
6.
Military. Eritrea. Up to 9.30 p.m.
March 25th. Our forces have pushed forward both
sides of Keren Road and repulsed three counter
attacks, number of prisoners, including complete
mortar platoon, taken. Work on moving block on
road proceeding satisfactorily.
7.
Royal Air Force. Night operations
cancelled on account of bad weather.
8.
Royal Air Force. Ethiopia. On the 24th
24 bombers of S.A.A.F. attacked railway Harar
sector hitting 3 bridges. 25th-26th Blenheims
bombed Addis Ababa Jibuti railway,
9.
Dodecanese. 25th. 4 Blenheims attacked
aerodromes at Scarpanto and Calato, 5 Heinkel 111's
severely damaged. Direct hit on 7000 ton merchant
vessel off Astropalia Island.
/10
-2-
10.
German Air Force. Daylight 26th. Enemy
activity on moderate scale and over wide area;
about 24 aircraft crossed coast. Two enemy
bombers destroyed, one by fighters and one by
anti-aircraft and a third probably destroyed by
fighters.
11.
No enemy activity by night except two
raids North Shetlands.
12.
Mediterranean. On 25th 3 CR 42's
machine gunned aerodrome Heraklion (Crete) and
destroyed 1 Blenheim.
PSF
Guat Butain
Reportoprem horder
obmitility Liberation
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
PERSONAL AND
March 29th, 1941
Dear Mr. President,
I beg to enclose herewith the
text of a personal and secret message addressed
to you by Mr. Churchill which was received to-
day by cable.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Yours sincerely,
REGRADED
UNCL, SSIFIED
lineo Camphu
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President.
PERSONAL AND
LIVORO
UNCLASIFIED
The following is the text of a message received from
Mr. Winston Churchill for the President, March 29th, 1941.
Begins.
Since my telegram of March 12th about feeding
unoccupied France, we have been confronted with the agree-
ment between Darlan and Berlin for the supply of large
quantities of foodstuffs to unoccupied France in exchange
naturally for a quid pro quo to the occupied zone from which
the German army of occupation is a heavy gainer. There are
also press reports of Vichy trying to negotiate purchases of
foodstuffs in Latin-America. If we were to put up with
this it would mean that French ships unhampered by the
fetters of convoy, would soon be doing a big trade and
Germany would secure at least half of the import. This
seems to put the matter in a new light.
Parliament and the public will ask me why when
we are ourselves suffering a grievous blockade and British
rations are reduced week by week the French and Germans
should have these advantages thus prolonging the war. More-
over the Belgians, Dutch and Norwegians, whose privations
and sufferings are far worse than those of Vichy France,
may soon ask that their own ships in our service should
carry food to their own countries. We ourselves in Britain
need more ships and food more stringently every week in order
to carry on the war with its present vigour.
I am therefore instructing the Admiralty to tighten
up the blockade of unoccupied France as far as our naval
resources and opportunities allow and I hope that you will
not think that this is unwise or unreasonable. The two gift-
ships will of course be let through as agreed between us.
We/
-2-
We are cabling in detail through Lord Halifax.
Ends.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
31st March 1941.
UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr. President,
I enclose herein copies of
the three latest reports received from
London on the military situation. They
were dated March 28th, March 29th and
March 30th.
Believe me,
Dear Mr. President,
Very sincerely yours,
Hahfax
The Honourable
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
President of the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
Telegram from London dated March 28th.
1.
Naval. Enemy aircraft attacked shipping off
Milford Haven evening of March 22nd. Four small ships
totalling 2,337 tons damaged.
Two enemy aircraft were
badly damaged.
2.
H.M.S. "Leith" attacked by two enemy aircraft
with bombs S.W. off St. David's Head, March 27th, was
undamaged but destroyed at least one aircraft. On March
27th, the Coastal Blenheims on reconnaissance of Lorient
attacked Fokke-Walf aircraft and cruiser presumably the
"Voltaire" results unobserved. Two Blenheims dive-bombed
near missing about 6,000 ton
and two naval
auxiliaries off Brest.
3.
Military - Albania. No indications of Italians
yet able to resume the offensive. Defensive preparations
being made in the southern sector. Total forces north of
line Durazzo - Tiranha probably not more than 12,000.
4.
Yugoslavia. The army loyal to the new Government
and reported concentrating southwards. Minimum of 23
divisions mobilised. The whole country appears enthusiastic
and orderly.
5.
On March 23rd - British Colonial and Belgian
forces occupied Bengali (about 331 miles west of Addis-
Abbaba) after severe fighting.
6.
Royal Air Force March 27th. Daylight attacks
were made on shipping from Ushant to La Rochelle and on
small naval craft off the Dutch coast. Alderney harbour,
buildings and small merchant ship hit. Two Blenheims
shot down by enemy fighters.
7. Night/
- 2 -
7.
Night of March 27th/28th. Ninety-seven
bombers sent to attack Cologne (39) Dusseldorf (39)
Dunkirk, Calais and Brest. Three aircraft missing.
8.
Eritrea.- During March 25th-26th. Sixteen
tons of bombs dropped on enemy positions near Keren;
two enemy fighters reported destroyed.
9.
Ethiopia. Three trains on Addis-Abbaba
Djibuti Railway Station at Awda received direct hits.
10.
Greece. On March 25th four Gladiators
intercepted 20 enemy fighters escorting 6 bombers.
They probably destroyed 1 fighter and damaged another.
One Gladiator destroyed on the ground at Parangtha.
11.
German Air Force. March 27th. Two enemy
fighters over Kent. One ME.110 damaged and one
Spitfire missing.
12.
Night of March 27th/28th. A few aircraft
reported off the coast.
13.
Syria. French reported building a defensive
line in northern Syria facing Turkey.
Telegram from London dated 29th March
Commander in Chief Mediterranean with strong
force of Nediterranean Fleet on the 28th got into touch
with strong Italian forces south of Yildiz west of Crete.
Enemy cruisers first sighted 8 a.m. By noon the enemy
forces in two groups retiring westwards at high speed
one group consisting of two battleships three cruisers
five destroyers, second group three cruisers three
destroyers with possibly two battleships. Air attacks
by aircraft and strong force of Blenheims from Greece
made several attacks. Former scored possible torpedo
hit on one cruiser; latter claim two bomb hits on one
cruiser two heavy bomb hits on another cruiser, one hit
heavy bomb on destroyer. One Littovio class reported
to have speed reduced to fifteen knots by day torpedo
attacks. Commander in Chief reported at 12:28 a.m.
29th March also two eight-inch cruisers severely damaged
by our battleships in ensuing night action - hoped sunk.
Result of destroyer night attacks not yet reported.
Survivors from believed six inch gun cruiser reported by
aircraft.
2.
On the 16th Parthian fired torpedoes at 6000
ton merchant ship and 10,000 ton tanker in escorted
convoy in the Straits of Messina, two explosions heard
believed two ships hit.
3.
Scharnhorst Gneisenau were at Brest on 28th.
One in dry dock one in Rade Aboi.
4. Royal/
- 2 -
4.
Royal Air Force. Night of 27th/28th.
Industrial centres Cologne and Dusseldorf each
attacked by 33 aircraft; 26 tons H.E. dropped on
the former and 33 tons and 3,000 incendiaries on
latter. Many fires and explosions caused.
5.
Night of 28th/29th. All bombing operations
cancelled.
6.
Dodecanese. Enemy aerodrome in Rhodes
bombed on 27th one enemy aircraft destroyed on the
ground.
7.
German Air Force, 28th. Only slight enemy
activity; our fighters destroyed one enemy bomber and
probably destroyed a second.
8.
Night of 28th/29th. No enemy operations
reported.
Telegram from London dated 30th March.
Naval. No further news yet received about
the action in the Mediterranean March 28th and 29th
but Greek destroyers have picked up 110 Italian
survivors and have been directed by Sunderland
aircraft to the position to pick up 600 more.
2.
March 29th, several enemy air attacks made
on east coast convoys; one British tanker was hit and
sunk.
3.
Royal Air Force. Night of March 29th/30th.
All bombing operations cancelled.
4.
Italy. March 28th. Six medium bombers
attacked aerodrome at Lecce (near Brindisi) destroying
at least one aircraft and damaging 20 others.
5.
German Air Force. Night of March 29th/30th.
About 40 aircraft operating principally in Avonmouth
area, and 36 more suspected of mine laying.
6.
In central Mediterranean German dive bombing
force has been reinforced from units previously located
in northern France.
7.
Whole dive bombing force in the Balkan theatre
(160) now located in south west Bulgaria.
8.
Home Security. Night of March 29th/30th.
Bombing not heavy but sharp attacks on Avonmouth and
Bristol. At Avonmouth three oil cisterns set alight and
still burning. Fires all under control. Casualties so
far reported not serious.
9.
Add to paragraph 1 above. Three Italian eight
inch cruisers, two destroyers now confirmed sunk, one six
inch cruiser possibly sunk. Our losses nil.