740.00119 Control (Bulgaria)/7–345: Telegram
No. 459
The Ambassador in Italy
(
Kirk
) to the Secretary of State
2846. Our 2832, July 1.1
Oxley ACC Bulgar Brit Del has reported that previous figs on Bulgar Army strength should be revised to read 13 inf divs, 1 cavalry div, 1 guards div at Sofia, 1 armored div in process of formation.
Red Army strength in Bulg today estimated at 250,000 men.
Most Sov aircraft are reportedly in Bulg, and airdromes north and south of Balkan Mts will be taken into use. Bulg War Min info bulletin gives Brit strength in Greece at 9 motorized inf divs, 4 in Greek Thrace and 5 in Turk Thrace. Obviously Russians who travel extensively in Greece know these figs are false but may agree to their publication in order to justify great increases of Sov troops in Bulg.
- Not printed.↩