THE WHITE HOUSE
                                 WASHINGTON
 
                                                       September 18, 1941
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
 
     The substance of recent reports received from Commander Task 
Group 6.5 (Northeast Greenland Patrol, NORTHLAND, NORTH STAR, BEAR), 
is of possible interest to the President.
 
     The sixty ton Norwegian steamer BUSKOE, chartered by Norwegian 
expedition headed by Hallvard DeVold, was boarded by U.S.C.G. cutter 
NORTHLAND at Myggbukta on 12 September. There was a crew of ten, with 
11 passengers, all of whom were Norwegians and one of whom was a woman. 
Personnel carried the usual hunting guns and stated they left Norway 
29 August and arrived Greenland on 4 September. Information elicited 
indicated that three men and radio transmitter had been left at Peter 
Bay, two men at Cape Maurer and one at Revet, with the remaining 
passengers to be landed at Myggbukta, Cape Humbolt and Havna. The 
BUSKOE was held pending further investigation and the NORTHLAND pro-
ceeded to Peter Bay to remove radio station before ice closed in. The 
Greenland Government was informed at this time. Apparently the Nor-
wegian government in London had no knowledge of this expedition.
 
     NORTHLAND arrived at Peter Bay station on 14 September and
found German radio transmitter, meterological instruments, secret 
German code and three Norwegians, one of whom was a German agent 
whom the Gestapo arranged to have included as a member of the expedi-
tion. Agent prepared to send daily weather reports and other military 
information of value to German officials in Norway. NORTHLAND personnel 
removed all portable gear, including radio and meterological equipment 
and a special code which is now in custody of Commander Task Group 6.5. 
Some equipment was burned. NORTHLAND also evacuated personnel and 
material of other stations established by BUSKOE expedition, and plans 
to leave Arctic supplies at Greenland government stations at Eskimonaes 
and Ellas Island. A full report is to follow by first safe mail.
 
     Navy Department, after consultation with the State Department,
has asked for comment and recommendation from Commander Task Group 6.5 
as to the feasibility of bringing ship, crew and passengers to a United 
States port, under protective custody.
 
     Investigation indicates that this attempt, with German approval 
and financial support, to establish relatively large numbers of Norwegians 
in northeast Greenland was primarily for the purpose of reviving Norwegians 
claims to parts of Greenland, at next peace conference.
 
                                                  Respectfully,
 
                                                      J. R. BEARDALL