868.00/10–2047
Report by Major General S. J. Chamberlin to the Chief of Staff of the Army (Eisenhower)
[Extract]
top secret
[Washington,] 20 October 1947.
The Greek Situation
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6. It is Recommended:
- a.
- That efforts be directed to obtain on the highest level a broad definition of U.S. objectives in Greece in order to permit timely provision of adequate means automatically prior to emergent situations.
- b.
- That the U.S. approve immediate formation of Home Guard Battalions to an approximate total of 50 to free the Greek National Army for operations against the Guerrilla Forces and to maintain flexible position for the creation of additional battalions as the developing situation demands. These should be supported to the maximum from Greek economy supplemented as necessary by U.S. aid funds.
- c.
- That the British Military Mission be retained in Greece for training until either the preponderance of equipment becomes U.S. or until further U.S. aid measures require that replacement by American personnel is necessary and desirable.
- d.
- That additional machine guns be provided for the Greek Army. Tentatively, subject to coordination with Greek Army and USAGG, the machine gun organization should include 1 battalion (3 companys [sic] of 3 platoons) per division. For details see Inclosure II, Tab B.1
- That U.S. mountain artillery (75 mm Pack Howitzer) be substituted for 25 pounders and 3.7 in. British mountain guns in Greek Artillery Units without increase in strength of units. The extent of substitution be coordinated with USAGG who is now making study in detail.
- e.
- That the British be induced to leave the British Forces in Greece, in present strength indefinitely. Failing this, to install an Allied or U.S. Force, such force to be installed prior to withdrawal of British.
- f.
- That the arming of Greek civilians be discontinued for the present.
- g.
- That the Gendarmerie be released from Army control and revert to its civil police function. That its strength be reduced in consonance with its mission and as developed by further study. That the British continue the Police Mission in Greece.
- h.
- That the USAGG be augmented by 8 officers and 12 enlisted men to expedite issue of supplies and render technical advice in their use and maintenance. See Inclosure 3, Tab H.1
- i.
- That there be established in Greece immediately a U.S. Advisory and Planning Group under nominal control of the Ambassador, but reporting directly to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with mission of planning and furnishing advice to the U.S. Ambassador, the Chief of the Aid Mission and the U.S. Armed Forces on the developing situation and in the coordination of the U.S. military effort, and additionally furnishing high level military advice, coordinated with British, to the Greek Government and its armed forces upon request of the Greek Government. Composition in officers initially not to exceed 20 officers of which approximately 9 will be from the Army including the senior member because of primary interest. For details of Army representation see Tab I.1
- j.
- That there be established in Greek National Army units a group of U.S. Army Observers with the duties of energizing operational action, restoring the offensive spirit and advising on planning and operations. These observers to report to the senior Army representative, U.S. Joint Advisory and Planning Group. Composition from U.S. Army including Army personnel on U.S. Advisory and Planning Group, 69 officers and 83 enlisted men. For details see Tab I.2
- k.
- That a combined British-American Armed Forces Committee consisting of senior representatives of Army, Navy, and Air in Greece, be formed with the task of high level military coordination, U.S. and British military efforts in Greece, and to act in advisory capacity on military matters of combined interest to respective Ambassadors and Chiefs of Staff.
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