Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume III

Memorandum by Mr. Harry L. Hopkins, Special Assistant to President Roosevelt ⁶²

Washington, June 9, 1942.

Ambassador Litvinov came to see me last night and told me the Russian Government had agreed to our flying bombers to Russia via Alaska and Siberia.

I told him that I would ask General Arnold to get in touch With him to work out all the plans for the route.

It seems to me this is one of the tangible results of Molotov’s visit and I doubt very much if this would have been approved on any other basis.

I imagine the real reason the Russians approved our flying planes through Siberia is that in the event Japan attacks them we will already have organized a quick method of getting bombers to Vladivostok.

I later told General Arnold of Russia’s agreement and he has agreed to get in touch with Ambassador Litvinov at once.

H[arry] L. H[opkins]

62. Copy obtained from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, N. Y.