891.00/2072: Telegram
The Minister in Iran to the Secretary of State
Tehran, December 8, 1943 — 5 p.m.
1096.
In reply to my inquiry as to reason for premature publication of declaration regarding Iran, my 1090, December 5, Soviet Chargé told me he had heard Iranians were going to release text on morning of December 5 and that his Embassy therefore rushed publication in order not to be left behind.
In a separate conversation with an officer of this Legation and Major Henry, Hurley’s aide, Soviet Press Attaché denied all knowledge of any agreement regarding release date for publicity on Tehran conference and further intimated he had not understood declaration on Iran to form part of general release.
It is obvious that these two statements are conflicting and both seem implausible. If Soviet Chargé had heard of Iranian intention to break deadline, he could easily have intervened with the Iranian authorities, at same time notifying his American and British colleagues. Likewise, the Press Attaché’s plea of ignorance is vitiated by fact that he was present at meeting with Major Henry and British representatives on December 4 at which release arrangements were discussed. However, I have not pressed the point and shall take no further action unless instructed.
DREYFUS
U.S. Navy Department (December 8, 1943)
CINCPAC Communiqué No. 23
Our carrier task forces which attacked enemy installations on Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls on December 4, 1943, (West Longitude Date) destroyed 72 planes in the air, strafed and burned an undetermined number of medium bombers on the ground, and destroyed or damaged various ground installations on Kwajalein, Ebeye, Roi and Wotje Islands.
At Kwajalein they sank two light cruisers, one oiler and three cargo transports and damaged one troop transport and two cargo transports.
At Wotje one cargo transport was damaged.
Our forces, under command of RAdm. Charles A. Pownall, USN, successfully fought off vigorous prolonged aerial and torpedo and bombing attacks. Of one group of seven torpedo planes, six were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire.
One of our ships suffered minor damage. Our aircraft losses were light.
CINCPAC Press Release No. 188
For Immediate Release
December 8, 1943
The enemy continues nuisance air raids against our installations in the Gilberts. On the night of December 6 (West Longitude Date) a plane dropped four bombs at Makin, which landed harmlessly in the lagoon. On the night of December 5, enemy planes dropped eight bombs near Betio Island. Only one bomb landed near our installations, causing minor injuries to personnel.