811.22760H/8–1443
Memorandum by the Liaison Officer ( Wilson ) to the Under Secretary of State ( Welles )
Mr. Welles: Referring to your memorandum of August 3, 1943 relative to Mr. Fotitch’s call concerning the Yugoslav aviators,94 I am informed by Colonel Goodfellow of the O.S.S., to which agency the formation of a Yugoslav aviation unit was originally referred by the President, that Colonel Donovan is personally taking up this matter with the President and Admiral Leahy95 with a view to complying with the Yugoslav request.
Meantime, Colonel Goodfellow, who is aware of the Department’s interest in this matter, has been in touch with General Arnold’s office with a view to bringing about a modification of the War Department’s stand as expressed in the attached letter of July 5, 1943,96 from General Marshall97 to Admiral Leahy and in a subsequent similar letter dated July 26 addressed to Colonel Donovan by General Arnold.98 It was agreed by General Arnold’s office that the War Department would reconsider its position upon receipt of a communication from Colonel Goodfellow fully explaining the reasons for Mr. Fotitch’s attitude. Colonel Goodfellow, who has been in frequent touch with the Ambassador, is to see him again today and will then submit the desired data which, he believes, together with Colonel Donovan’s démarche will result in a satisfactory settlement of this question.
In view of this situation and as Colonel Goodfellow has undertaken to keep me fully posted on future developments, I shall not take any further steps at this time in the absence of contrary instructions from you.
If [It] would be appreciated if the attached file is returned to U–L.99
- Memorandum not printed; Mr. Welles suggested that Mr. Wilson take up the matter of Yugoslav aviators with the War Department (811.22760H/8–343).↩
- Adm. William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy.↩
- Not attached to file copy.↩
- Gen. George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army.↩
- Not found in Department files.↩
- Under Secretary’s Office, Liaison.↩