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ill will among the army, navy, and air force. When the troops were
 
disembarked in Alexandria, air force enlisted personnel were not
 
permitted in the harbor.
 
     3. The appointment of Air Chief Marshal Tedder in the
 
place of Marshal Longmore meets with general approval. Tedder knows
 
Ame rican planes and appreciates them.
 
     4. Dangerous rumors circulate which hint that commanders
 
in the amy will also be changed. However, if changes take place under
 
preset circumstances, they will in actuality be merely an effort to
 
choose a scapegoat upon whom to fix responsibility.
 
                         FELLERS
 
                    PART III
 
     1. If the recriminations which are described in Part
 
II of this cable were to be avoided, the frantic demands as described
 
in the same message should have been received at London prior to and not
 
subsequent to the battle of Crete.
 
     2. This battle was the fourth disastrous setback to
 
Britain and on account of the divided responsibility which is a part
 
of her command system, she has not yet the faintest conception of where
 
the blame lies. The facts remain that no blame attaches to any one
 
person. By dividing the responsibility a convenient systen is built
 
up which protects all comanders, reduces all blame, whitewashes every 
 
defeat, furnishes holeproof excuses, but will not manufacture victories.
 
     3. It is fundamental that there be a single general
 
commanding the Middle East theater, alone responsible for the conduct
 
of all operations. He should be given command of all forces in this
 
theater, Army, Navy and air, for the successful performance of his
 
                    -3-
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