Page 401
336
•
70
My impression is that new Prime Minister, faced with all the facts of the military situation, is feeling extremely anxious and depressed, and although he stated he would fight to the end, he evidently does not think that the end is very far distant.
8.
Instead of sending list as promised, Prime Minister summoned a meeting of Under Secretary of State for War and Director of (? Trade) (? department) at Foreign Office, and myself, assisted by experts to study the most urgent problem of the Greek Army, which is at present, that of ammunition.
до
Under Secretary of State for War opened meeting by declaring that ammunition (? already) was critical. Greek Army had started war with stock based on 3 months normal expenditure; expenditure had been less than expected and actually they still had enough for another 2 months. Bulk of ammunition required was of French type, and unfortunately France as a source of supply, was closed. They had been able to obtain almost nothing from Turkey and Yugoslavia. They had been informed by us that these types could not be produced in the United Kingdom, while in the United States of America they had been able to purchase only very limited amounts, and had been so far unable to arrange for a definite and regular supply of ammunition from that country.
In above circumstances, prosecution of the war by Greece would be impossible after 2 months.
10.
They asked me, therefore, to be good enough to cxamine problem again with them, and to advise them whether there was any possible solution to it.
There seems to be only two possible permanent solutions, apart from temporary expediences:-
(a)
that definite arrangements should be made in
the United States of America, for manufacture of ammunition of type they require.
(b) Complete re-armament of Greek artillery with
either British or American equipments. Against former, was the fact that we could expect a long war, and therefore, their present equipments would wear out and would have to be replaced by other types. Against second, was time factor involved in delivery and training of Greek troops in new equipments, quite apart from the question whether British or American equipments were available in the required amounts.
11. After discussion of various aspects, it was agreed best solution was initial arrangements should be made for supplies of ammunition for existing Greek equipments from the United States of America, bearing in mind that the question of re-armament would have to be taken up at a later stage in the war. Possible expedients to bridge period which must elapse before arrival of a regular supply from the United States, are being examined. My recommendations are contained in my telegram No. Q. 254 to A. C. I. G. S.
•
12. If Greek Army is to be kept in the field, everything possible should be done to impress on British Purchasing Commission in America, necessity of giving highest possible priority to Greek needs. Message ends.
-8-
Page 401
Page 401
Page 401