Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943

Roosevelt Papers: Telegram

Prime Minister Churchill to President Roosevelt¹

secret

[Cairo?] November 21, 1943.

No. 508. Most immediate. Former Naval Person to President Roosevelt personal and most secret.

1. I asked Commanders-in-Chief Middle East to let me have:

(1) Their estimate of the risk attached to our meeting.

(2) Arrangements already made to deal with air and parachute attacks.

(3) Proposals for reinforcing above.

2. Their reply is as follows.

(A) Appreciation of risk.

Risk small in view of precautions taken. Target is 100 miles inland giving ample warning and good fighter and A. A. defences have been provided. There is a remote possibility that low flying enemy aircraft might reach target, but every possible precaution is being taken against this.

(B) Arrangements made against air and parachute attacks.

(1) Fighters. Five Spitfire Squadrons, three Hurricane Squadrons and one Night Fighter Squadron of which one Spitfire Squadron at Matabeleland West and one at Heliopolis.

(2) A. A. One Regiment Light AA (54 guns) two Regiments Heavy AA (48 guns) and 18 searchlights deployed in target area. One Balloon Squadron standing by but not deployed. Smoke screen available.

(3) R. D. F. and Warning System. R. D. F. will cover along whole coast and special arrangements have been made for cover inland. Special arrangements have been made also for WT observer posts covering target. Specially organized gun and fighter operation rooms controlling air and AA defence of area. Adequate air raid warnings and shelter arrangements have been made in target area.

(4) Ground. Three Infantry Bns. Plus one Troop of Armoured Cars guarding Mena area which is fully wired. Extent of parachute attacks appreciated by command.

(C) Proposal for increased insurance.

We are taking following steps to increase insurance.

(1) Fighters. We are adding one Spitfire Squadron to air defence scheme.

(2) Ground. We are reinforcing ground defence by equivalent of one Regiment Mixed Armoured Cars and Tanks.

(D) We consider arrangements in (B) and (C) above fully adequate to deal with all foreseeable contingencies.

1. Sent to London; forwarded to Washington, apparently via United States military channels; and forwarded further by the White House Map Room to Roosevelt in North Africa.