Memorandum from Admiral William D. Leahy to President Harry S. Truman

NLT (NAVAL RIGE 454 FORVICTORY BUY UNITED STATES SAVE the WAR THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF BONDS AND STAMPS WASHINGTON 25, D. C. / 26 July 1946 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: 1. This memorandum sets forth the plans of the local commanders in'case of outbreak of hostilities with the Soviet Union. It is the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that no distribution should be made of the information in this paper. 2. Germany and Austria - The 42 Russian divisions in Germany, plus the 4 in Austria, supported by an estimated 4,000 Russian aircraft in Germany and Poland, are disposed in such a way as to enable the Soviets to launch an attack on General McNarney's forces with very little, if any, warning. It is almost certain that such an attack, if it came about, would also include hostilities with the British forces in Germany and Austria. By the middle of September, General McNarney's forces will be reduced to one and wo-thirds divisions, a light constabulary force of 38,000 men and 11 air groups, of which only 6 are combat groups. This force is no more than adequate to police our zone in Germany and is not designed or deployed for, or capable of, meeting a Russian attack. General McNarney estimates that the Soviets could drive to the Rhine the first day and could over-Trun the zone in five days. Hence, General McNarney's plan provides for immediate withdrawal behind the Rhine, assumes that at the time the emergency arrives action will be undertaken in coordination with the British, provides for a holding action on the Rhine to cover withdrawal to the Antwerp area where he will attempt to hold a bridgehead, while at the same time preparing for evacuation to the United Kingdom. The U. S. Air Forces in Europe will withdraw to airfields DECLASSIFIED E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 DOD Directive 5100.30, June 18, 1979 By NLT HL NARS, Date 7-16-10