Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The American Republics, Volume V

832.248/466

The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

No. 10613

Rio de Janeiro, March 30, 1943.
[Received April 7.]

Sir: Referring to my strictly confidential despatch No. 10604 of March 29, 1943,²² reporting that on Admiral Beauregard’s behalf I had taken up certain matters with President Vargas, I have the honor to report that yesterday Admiral Beauregard brought to my attention another letter from Admiral Ingram,²³ in which he requested Admiral Beauregard to endeavor to obtain from the Air Minister action in eight different cases. With this in mind, Admiral Beauregard addressed a pertinent communication to Dr. J. P. Salgado Filho in which the eight different cases were set out in lettered paragraphs “a” to “h”, a copy of which I transmit herewith.

In accordance with Admiral Beauregard’s desire, I shall bring this memorandum also to the attention of President Vargas this afternoon.

Respectfully yours,

Jefferson Caffery

[Enclosure—Translation]

The Chief of the American Naval Mission (Beauregard) to the Brazilian Minister of Aeronautics (Salgado)

F
NOB Serial 501

Rio de Janeiro, March 29, 1943.

Dear Mr. Minister: I have just received from Vice Admiral Ingram a letter in which he sets forth the following:

(a) The urgent necessity for an officer of the F. A. B. to be detailed to his staff, in order to achieve by this means practical operations of the F. A. B. in the present situation, which is critical.

(b) The seven PBY’s should enter immediately into operations against the enemy for the protection of Brazil itself.

(c) The two PBY’s delivered several weeks ago are not yet in operating condition. They should be made ready.

(d) Crews for the remaining five, not yet delivered, are not ready or prepared. He himself should operate them, with his own forces, because of the critical situation. This matter should be settled urgently.

(e) Combat training appears to be weak. He believes that combat training should be given at Natal, and turned over to the “Combat Wing Commander” at Natal.

(f) Operational cooperation against the enemy is still lacking; in order to achieve the desired results the F. A. B. should operate vigorously under the orders of the Allied Commandant in the South Atlantic.

(g) The delay in connection with general authorization for the use of dirigibles in Brazil, and for the necessary bases, is prejudicing the arrival of these dirigibles which are so necessary to combat the growing threat of the enemy.

(h) He believes that the basing of some B–24’s on the Island of Fernando Noronha is very important, and requests the necessary authorization.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew the expressions of my high consideration and esteem.

A. T. Beauregard

Rear Admiral, USN

22. Not printed; Adm. A. T. Beauregard, Chief of the American Naval Mission in Brazil, complained that the Brazilian Air Ministry was not making the best use of planes at its disposal (832.248/462).
23. Vice Adm. Jonas H. Ingram, Commander of the South Atlantic Force.