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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume I
351 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
351
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
The following is the text of three telegrams from the British Minister to Greece1 (Athens) to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Cairo):
I have just read the Prime Minister's message to you2. I need not emphasise to you the effect of our now withdrawing from the agreement actually signed between the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and the Greek Commander-in-Chief which is now in process of execution here by General Wilson himself. How can we possibly abandon the King of Greece after the assurances given him by the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff as to the reasonable chance of success? This seems to me quite unthinkable. We shall be pilloried by the Greeks and the world in general as going back on our word.
There is no question of ‘liberating the Greeks from feeling bound to reject the ultimatum’. They have decided to fight Germany alone if necessary. The question is whether we help or abandon them.
1 Sir Michael Palairet, KCMG; British Minister to Greece 1939–42; British Ambassador to Greece 1942–43 (i.e., to Greek Government in exile); Assistant Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign Office, 1943–45.
The British Minister (Athens) to Secretary of State (Cairo)
The King of Greece spoke to the Air Attaché today with deep appreciation of your visit and was absolutely determined to carry on the agreed plan of action against German attack. He is satisfied that his confidence in the chances of success is shared by General Papagos and his Government.
He emphasised the great importance of speed, and particularly in the supply of adequate air forces here in order to break up the German air attacks which are their customary opening offensive. Initial German defeat in the air would, more than anything else, page 256 do away with the myth of German invincibility and would give the whole country the same confidence as is held by him in the prospects for success. I have not myself seen him since your departure.
The British Minister (Athens) to Secretary of State (Cairo)
This morning1 General Wilson has had a most satisfactory talk with General Papagos. He is greatly encouraged by the marked improvement in the latter's attitude and found him most helpful and anxious to co-operate in every way possible.
1 6 Mar.