WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON January 14, 1942. MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT: Subject: Shipment Small Troop Detachments from Halifax, Nova Scotia. An investigation has been made to determine the feasibility of shipping small detachments of troops in any space which might be made available on loaded freighters awaiting escort from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to the United Kingdom. It has been determined that less than 25% of such vessels have space which can be utilized. A few freighters do have facilities for from ten (10) to twenty (20) troop passengers and small additional cargo. The Canadian government makes a careful survey to secure any available space for troops or freight. From a replacement depot which has been established at Halifax all such space is fully utilized. Any United States troops which might be transported by freighter from Halifax would cause a like reduction in Canadian shipments for which special facilities have been constructed. In view of the small numbers affected and since no overall gain would be secured, it is believed inadvisable to make use of this means of transportation at this time. /s/ Henry L. Stimson Secretary of War |