Page 172
Page 172
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to. ensure the secrecy of this document.
SE CRE T.
c.o.s. (40) 472.
(Also W.P. (40) 208).
18TH JUNE, 1940.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
CHANNEL ISLANDS.
Memorandum.
156
си
COPY NO.
27
At the 162nd Meeting of the War Cabinet on 12th of
June, 1940, the War Cabinet gave approval for the despatch
of two battalions to the Channel Islands
one to Guernsey
and one to Jersey. At the 163rd Meeting on the same day the War Cabinet took note of the fact that the Secretary of
State for War wished to reconsider the matter in the
light of the new situation.
2.
On reconsideration the Chiefs of Staff at their 178th Meeting on the 13th June decided to recommend to the War Cabinet that the two battalions should not be sent, and that owing to the imminence of the occupation of the French coast it would be better to demilitarise the Islands, and to prepare for the destruction of facilities which
Before this recommendation might be of value to the enemy.
could be put to the War Cabinet it became apparent that it was necessary to use Aerodromes in the Channel Islands for the protection of the evacuation of the B.E.F. from Brest and Cherbourg. Thereupon orders were given to re-distribute
the troops in the Channel Islands, and to reinforce the
defence forces with one battery of light A.A. guns,
-1-
Page 172
472
Page 172
Page 172