Office of the Historian

812.20/7–1244

Memorandum by the Military Attaché in Mexico (Ryan) to the Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith)14

Mexico City, 10 July 1944.

Subject: Training of First Mexican Fighter Squadron.

1.
In order to arrive at a definite plan for the accomplishment of the necessary preliminary arrangements for the training of the First Fighter Squadron, Mexican Air Force, the following procedure is presented for your approval:
a.
Approval of the detailed plan (see Tabs “A” and “B”, attached15) by proper representatives of the Mexican Government and the United States Ambassador to the Mexican Government.
b.
Notification of the approval by the Mexican Government to the United States Department of State through the United States Ambassador.
c.
Immediate initiation of the formal request for this training by the Mexican Ambassador, Washington, D.C.,16 to the Assistant Chief of Staff, G–2, War Department,17 Washington, D.C, through the United States Department of State.
d.
Approval of the request and the detailed plan by the War Department, Washington, D.C.
e.
Upon approval of the formal request by the United States War Department, the Mexican Ambassador to submit the list of names of personnel to be trained to the War Department, G–2, for final action.
f.
The Mexican Ambassador to file immediately the necessary requisitions under Lend-Lease for Mexico.
2.
The attention of the Mexican Government should be invited to the fact that the procedure outlined herein refers only to the arrangements for the training of the squadron and includes no commitments or arrangements whatsoever for the subsequent employment or equipping of the unit.
L. O. Ryan

Colonel, Air Corps
[Annex]

Tab “B”

Outline of Financial Arrangements for Training of First Fighter Squadron of Mexican Air Force

1.
Charges to Mexico under Lend-Lease:
a.
Transportation within the United States.
b.
Hospitalization.
c.
Subsistence and housing of enlisted men.
d.
Property survey during training.
e.
Contract and factory school tuition, if any.
f.
Such clothing and personal equipment as is necessary for training.
g.
Equipment necessary for training authorized by appropriate Tables of Organization and Tables of Equipment.
h.
Items necessary for training issued to individuals under Tables of Clothing and Individual Equipment.
2.
Charges to be borne by the United States:
a.
Expendable property, commercial fuel, motor fuel, mess fuel, office supplies and ammunition.
b.
Non-recurrent maintenance and construction.
c.
Depreciation of equipment.
d.
Burial expenses, if any, in the United States.
3.
Expenses to be borne by Mexico, not under Lend-Lease:
a.
Transportation to the United States and return.
b.
Uniforms.
c.
Pay and allowances.
d.
Insurance.
4.
Upon final approval by the Mexican Government and the United States War Department of plan for training, details of Lend-Lease are to be completed by the Mexican Embassy in Washington and appropriate agencies of the United States Government.
  1. Copy transmitted to the Department in despatch 18,726, July 12, 1944, from Mexico, infra. ↩
  2. Tab “A” not printed.↩
  3. Francisco Castillo Nájera.↩
  4. Maj. Gen. George V. Strong. “G–2” is the designation used for “Military Intelligence”.↩