740.00119 Control (Germany)/9–845: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Germany ( Murphy ) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—6:10 p.m.]
474. For the Dept’s information. In Divisional Directors’ meeting this morning, General Clay announced that his goal was to make the US Group CC a completely civilian organization by July 1, 1946. While he was directing all reserve officers desiring to continue in this work to apply for an immediate return to civilian status now, every effort will be made to reduce the present personnel of Group CC to a minimum. He stated that Group CC and Military Govt were overstaffed and that a special manpower board would be appointed to accelerate personnel reductions. At present, some 12,000 officers and men are employed in Military Govt in the zone. General Clay said he thought this number should be reduced to about 6,000 by February 1. Members of both Foreign Affairs Subcommittees and the Appropriations Committee which recently visited Berlin evinced a critical interest in the size of the Group staff.