NAVAL MESSAGE                          NAVY DEPARTMENT
FROM HOTCHKISS CAIRO               OPNAV           PPPPPP
 
23 DEC 1941
TOR CODEROOM 1942
DECODED BY TIERS
PARAPHRASED BY PURDY
 
202300    CR0677
202315    CR0678
202330    CR0676
 
 
(PART ONE 202300 CR0677) FOLLOWING FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM BULLITT
STRICLY CONFIDENTIAL - QUOTE "THE BRITISH BOTH ON THE WEST COAST OF
AFRICA WHERE I CONFERRED WITH GENERAL GIFFORD AND HIS STAFF AND IN
 
CAIRO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE ABSOLUTE INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO
THE FOLLOWING POINTS. (1) THERE ARE ONLY TWO GERMAN DIVISIONS ON THE
SPANISH FRONTIER OF THE PYRENEES. (2) ALL BRITISH INFORMATION
INDICATES THAT THERE ARE NO GERMAN AIRCRAFT IN EITHER MORROCCO,
ALGIERS TUNIS OR THE DAKAR REGION.  MOREOVER THERE ARE NOT GERMAN
SUBMARINES BASED AT DAKAR OR ON THE PORTUGUESE POSSESSIONS ON THE
WEST COAST OF AFRICA.
 
GENERAL GIFFARD STATED THAT HE HAD A CAREFUL INVESTIGATION MADE OF
THE ENTIRE COAST AND ES (ENEMY SHIPS?) OPERATING IN THE SOUTH
ATLANTIC ARE REFEULED BY SUPPLY SHIPS AND NOT FROM SHORE BASES. (3)
THE BRITISH HERE BELIEVE THAT THE WEATHER AND THE CONCENTRATION OF
TURKISH TROOPS IN THRACE WILL CAUSE THE GERMANS TO PUT OFF ANY
POSIBLE ATTACK AGAINST TURKEY UNTIL THE EARLY SPRING."
 
PART TWO (202315 CR 0678)
 
MY 202300 FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM BULLITT CONTINUES QUOTE "THE BRITISH
AIR MARSHALL IN CAIRO TEDDER DESIRED ME TO CALL TOYOUR ATTENTION
THAT THE GERMAN FAILURE TO GET THROUGH TO THE OIL WELLS OF THE
CAUCASUS HAS MADE THE OIL WELLS OF THE PLOESTI REGION IN RUMANIA
VITAL TO GERMANY.