740.0011 European War 1939/7737: Telegram

The Minister in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State

25. The following is for the Secretary of the Navy from Colonel Donovan.7

No. 2. Am sending this personal note after consultation with Minister MacVeagh following discussions with the King, Metaxas8 and Commander-in-Chief Papagos.

Metaxas fears that to anticipate Britain’s strengthening her foothold here, Germany may attempt to seize Salonika which attempt Yugoslavia and Bulgaria may not resist.

General Wavell9 has asked me to say that he has drawn and is drawing heavily on his resources to aid Greece but due to shipping difficulties and to his existing commitments he cannot at this moment do more.

Metaxas says that the name of President Roosevelt exercises great influence throughout the Balkans and that anything which would stress his interest and assurance of support in maintaining position of Greece would vitalize the resistance of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria and probably prevent the German attempt.

More particularly there is needed now for the Greek Army, shoes, socks, uniforms, Ford ton or ton and a half trucks, donkeys of 11 hands high, mountain guns with ammunition, and aircraft.10

All here agree that if these supplies or any part could be sent to Greece direct by the President it would give renewed confidence to Greece and would add greatly in maintaining their position not only as a line of resistance but as a line of departure. [Donovan.]

MacVeagh
  1. Col. William J. Donovan, unofficial observer for the Secretary of the Navy in the Near East and Southeast Europe, December 1940–March 1941.
  2. John Metaxas, Prime Minister of Greece.
  3. Gen. Sir Archibald P. Wavell, Commanding General of the British Forces in the Middle East.
  4. For correspondence on the subject of American aid to Greece, see pp. 669 ff.