Foreign Relations of the United States, Conference at Quebec, 1944

Roosevelt Papers: Telegram

The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the President and the Secretary of State¹

top secret
priority

Moscow, [September 13, 1944.]

Top secret for the President and the Secretary from Harriman.

Cable Nr 122231 WH 63 from Mr. Hull² regarding aid to the insurgents in Warsaw reached me only late tonight. On the basis of an earlier message received by the Military Mission from General Spaatz³ I spoke to Molotov last night regarding an operation by our Air Force which Molotov approved after telephoning to Red Army General Staff. Today General Deane talked to an officer of Red Army General Staff inquiring what the Soviets intended to do on their own account. He replied that the Red Army had nothing planned.⁴ General Deane and head of British Military Mission will jointly approach Red Army General Staff tomorrow to press for the carrying out by the Red Army of the promise of the Soviet Government to render assistance itself. I will see Molotov if a satisfactory answer is not obtained.

1. Sent to Washington by the United States Naval Attaché, Moscow, via Navy channels; forwarded by the White House Map Room to Roosevelt as telegram No. MR–out-401, September 14, 1944.
2. Ante, p. 398.
3. Not printed.
4. A Soviet drop of supplies on Warsaw was executed, however, on September 13. See Craven and Cate, pp. 316–317.