Page 348
1
4.
Transport.
Page 348
The British Military Mission in Athens has reported that transport is one of the most urgent requirements. The following is briefly the position:-
༤
vehicles
(a) Mechanical Transport. Some weeks ago the Greeks stated they needed 1,600 M.T. by the end of February, followed by monthly maintenance requirements on a considerable scale.
Towards this demand the following action has been taken:
600 3-ton lorries
15 30-cwt. trucks 150 15-cwt. trucks
Have been or will be despatched in the near future from the United Kingdom.
A number of Italian lorries (up to 300) are being sent from Egypt.
1,000 lorries may be obtained from Syria as a result of Barter negotiations now in progress. Some little time must elapse, however, before these arrangements are completed.
488 trucks lying in America on Roumanian order which has been cancelled are. being examined as to suitability.
In addition, the Greeks have been advised to order vehicles in America, and 400 2-seater cars
released from the and 108 ambulances have also been United Kingdom towards meeting other demands.
The greater obstacle in the case of mechanical tranport is, of course, shipping.
The consignment of 200 transport vehicles leaving England at the beginning of February cannot be expected to be in operation in Greece until the middle of April at the earliest, and the total quantities of vehicles required by Greece will involve a large amount of shipping.
(b) Animal Transport.
The full extent
300 mules
of the Greek requirements is not known. are being sent from the Middle East, and the Greeks "are being assisted to purchase animals in Cyprus
where 700 mules and 4,000 donkeys are reported to be available.
The Government of India have been asked whether they can make available any "A.T. Carts" and, in the meanwhile, one such cart has been sent to Greece as a sample to enable local manufacture to be carried out if this is necessary.
Page 348
-1**
292
Page 348
Page 348
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.