Headquarters Mediterranean Command

Cairo Egypt

November 10, 1946 0842

Report # 134

Subject: After Action Report for October.

To: The Joint Chiefs of Staff

Attn: General Eisenhower

October 1946 

Air Operations

Bombing of the oil production facilities of the Soviet Union continued unabated. Five large raids were planned for the weeks of 13-27 October, 1946. Availability of bombers and their crews postponed two out of the five raids. An unexpected loss of supplies and aviation fuel by submarine activity off the coast of Tunisia and Libya had caused the delays. Numerous reports of small mini-subs attacking shipping at chokepoints near Tunis, Benghazi and Tobruk.

The 15th Air Force started operations on 12 October 1946 with a 245 plane raid on Baku shortly after a raid by SAC. The raid seemed to catch the VVS reloading and was an unqualified success with major oil storage facilities destroyed near Khatai. Oil production in the Baku area is estimated at 37% and increasing despite our bombing efforts.

SAC continues to rely on large formation of B-29 entering enemy airspace at 24,000 ft. Leadership continues to insist that the Norden Bomb sight and radar bombing from a high level will significantly reduce oil production of the USSR. Evidence suggests that the same fast moving wind that covers Japan also is prevalent in this area and other tactics might be in order. They continue to take unsustainable losses.

The 15th AF has authorized the development of rather risky maneuver designed to allow a large formation of bombers to evade missile attacks. Currently progress has been made with no midair collisions reported. It is therefore suggested that this endeavor be allowed to continue.

All airbases in the area continue to operate with extreme efficiency. The unexpected losses off North Africa had caused the re-routing of convoys around the Cape to the Suez. This delay has been overcome by increasing the amount of shipping along the route with assistance from Canada, Brazil and South Africa. The re-routing had a temporary effect on SAC’s operations tempo that has been rectified. The 15 AF was not in operational status and was not affected.

The Soviet forces continue to mass on the borders of Turkey. Increase in air activity and a blatant disregard for Turkish sovereignty is apparent. Although no formal declaration of war has been declared, VVS air forces continue to make incursions into Turkish airspace in pursuit of our bomber formation. A number of attacks on airfields in Turkey have previously been noted. A long range, low level fighter sweep by Yak 9D fighter planes, code name Far Boy, attacked the air bases in Kaysari on 28 October as has been noted in previous reports.

Militarily, there has been no effect on operations of an undeclared war over Turkey. It is curious as to why neither side has done the obvious.

Naval Forces

The Mediterranean Fleet continues to prepare for future operations. The sight of a dozen aircraft carriers plainly seen steaming just off the coast of Egypt is a concern for operational security. It appears to be common knowledge that this large contingent of our Naval Air Arm was in the Mediterranean and not in the Atlantic. See attached report.

As mentioned previously, the threat of submarine warfare has been mitigated by using the longer route to the Suez. Tactics and new technologies are actively being developed to address this new threat caused by enemy submarines to our supply lines connecting the major islands in the Mediterranean as well as merchant marine traffic traversing the routes previously used. 

Land Forces

The assignment of over 250 advisors to the Turkish military has been completed. Each of these experts were embedded in their respective Turkish units. Each of these experts where chosen by their commanders and tasked with training the Turkish troops in the latest infantry and small unit tactics. These highly trained experts are expected to double the combat effectiveness of the Turkish forces facing the Soviet Union.

Very preliminary reports indicate that the majority of the assigned personnel are working with their Turkish counterparts on a daily basis. The Turkish government has expressed its gratitude for this welcome assistance in its valiant effort to build up its defenses for an expected and eminent attack.

No other ground forces are currently engaged in the theatre.

NAVAL OPERATIONS

Continued preparedness of the amphibious forces is paramount. Training continues unabated. Most of the equipment stockpiled from the planned invasion of the Japanese islands have been retrofitted and brought back into service. Enough equipment has been brought back into service to land and support 25 divisions a month up to a total of 90 divisions worldwide by June 1947. Ongoing discussions are proceeding and focusing on the targets and goals for possible invasion scenarios.

It is highly recommended that each of these invasions be designed to trap as many Soviet units as possible, separating them from their bases of supply, and isolating them from their sources of command and control.

Recommendation for possible invasion sites:

Lebanon

Trieste

Salerno

Salonica

Possible invasions dates would start as early as 15 April 1947.

Naval forces should take every opportunity to hit Soviet forces with gunfire supported by air cover. The true extent of the strength of our Naval Air Arm should be hidden from the VVS and will play a major role in trapping Soviet forces worldwide.