Instructions to the Italian Merchant Fleet and Navy by Sir Andrew CUNNINGHAM BROWNE, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Forces in the Mediterranean
United Nations Radio. Algiers. September 8, 1943[1]
Sailors of the Italian Navy and Merchant Navy:
Your country has ceased hostilities against the United Nations. The German armed forces have become the open enemies of the Italian people and intend to take over your ships.
Your ships are urgently needed to help in the work of transporting supplies to Italy and your warships to protect them from the Germans. Take care, therefore, that your ships are not damaged and do not allow them to be captured.
The forces of the United Nations are working to receive and protect you. Save your ships and follow the instructions given now by the United Nations.
Ships in the Mediterranean,
sail to a place safe from the interference of the German armed forces. Head, if you can, to North Africa or Gibraltar, Tripoli or Malta, Haifa or Alexandria or Sicily and wait for the events there.
Ships in the Black Sea,
sail to Russian ports. If you don't have the fuel to do this, proceed to neutral ports.
When encountering United Nations forces, identify yourself by day by waving a large black or dark blue banner from the main mast, displaying large circular patches from your decks as identification for aircraft.
At night, if you encounter any obscured ships, turn on the navigation lights and mark the letters GA towards the obscured ship.
Follow all instructions from United Nations forces carefully. These are given to ensure your safety.
Merchant seamen,
if you first keep your ships intact and then please the authorities of the United Nations by cooperating loyally with them, there will be an opportunity for your further employment on the high seas on Italian ships.
For those of you who are in the Aegean Sea or the Black Sea, if you cannot escape the Germans who are now your enemies, do not let your ships fall into their hands. As a last resort, sink or sabotage them, rather than allowing them to fall into the hands of the Germans to be used against Italy.
Ships intending to act in accordance with this notice may confirm their safe conduct by calling "Malta VPT" or "Algiers FUG" or "Alexandria SUH" on 500 kilocycles.[2]
Instructions to the Italian Fleet and Mercantile Marine by SIR ANDREW BROWNE CUNNINGHAM, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Naval Forces in the Mediterranean.
United Nations Radio. Algiers. September 8, 1943.
Sailors of the Italian Navy and mercantile marine:
Your country has terminated hostilities against the United Nations. The German armed forces have become the open enemies of the Italian people and intend to seize your ships.
Your ships are urgently needed to assist in the work of carrying supplies to Italy and your warships to protect them from the Germans. Take heed, therefore, that you do not scuttle your ships or allow them to be captured.
The forces of the United Nations are watching out to receive you and protect you. Save your ships and follow the directions now given to you by the United Nations.
Ships in the Mediterranean,
sail to a place safe from the interference of the German armed forces. Sail if you can to North Africa or Gibraltar, to Tripoli or Malta, to Haifa or Alexandria, or to Sicily, there to await the outcome of events.
Ships in the Black Sea,
sail to Russian ports. If you have not the fuel to do this, then proceed to neutral ports.
When you meet forces of the United Nations, identify yourself by day by flying a large black or dark blue pennant from the main mast, by showing large circular patches from your decks as identification to aircraft.
By night, if darkened ships are met, burn dim navigation lights and flash the letters "GA" toward the darkened ship.
Follow carefully all directions of United Nations forces. These are given to insure your safety.
Merchant seamen,
if you first preserve your ships intact and afterward satisfy the authorities of the United Nations that you will loyally cooperate with them, there will be opportunity for further seagoing employment for you in Italian ships.
Those of you who are in the Aegean or the Black Sea, if you cannot make good your escape from the Germans, who are now your enemies, do not let your ships fall into their hands. As a last resort, scuttle them or sabotage them, rather than let them fall into the hands of the Germans to be used against Italy.
Ships intending to act in conformity with this message may confirm their safe conduct by calling "Malta VPT" or "Algiers FUG" or "Alexandria SUH" on 500 kilocycles.
[1]Time in New York, September 9, 1943.
[2]these preliminary instructions were expanded into the Cunningham-De Courten Memorandum on the Agreement on Labor and Disposition of the Italian and Commercial Navy on September 23 and amended on November 17, 1943. Admiral R. De Courten recorded his objection to the amendment of the Memorandum original in a declaration issued on November 17, 1943; the amendment expanded Allied controls; on November 6, 1945, the State Department released a commentary regarding the execution of the Cunningham-De Courten Memorandum. Department of the State Archives, November 11, 1945.