U.S. Taking Planes Out Of France

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31088, 17 June 1966, Page 9

U.S. Taking Planes Out Of France

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) WASHINGTON, June 16.

The American Secretary of Defence, Mr Robert McNamara, announced yesterday that all United States military planes and about 575,000 tons of war stocks will be withdrawn from France. Mr McNamara said that these were the first major shifts of United States military men, dependents and supplies from France to Britain, Germany and elsewhere in N.A.T.O. countries, in the wake of President de Gaulle’s insistence that foreign troops be removed from French soil. In the first stages, the United States will transfer two squadrons of transport planes, totalling 32 aircraft, and their parent headquarters to Britain by September 1. This will involve about 2300 military and civilian personnel and 3100 dependents.

At an unspecified later time, within the next few months, six squadrons totalling 90 air force reconnaissance aircraft will be shifted from France. Mr McNamara said that efforts were being made to relocate these squadrons on European bases elsewhere in N.A.T.O. nations. This would affect 5200 military personnel and 7600 members of their families.

In addition, Mr McNamara said, “combat-essential stocks of ground and air munitions and equipment will be moved out of France to other N.A.T.O. countries, largely to Germany.”

He estimated that there are about 750,000 tons in France —about the same amount as in Germany now. Of this, he indicated about 575,000 tons would be transferred from France, with the remaining 125,000 tons considered obsolete and excess. Over-all, there are 30,000 United States military men in France, together with 37,000 of their wives and children and 2000 American civilians working on military installations.