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German elements,
Grand Canary. Local Germans have spread the rumour that
the British intend to occupy the Canaries. No accurate numbers of Germans in this island have yet been obtained. Their activities seem to
Teneriffe
1
be mostly concentrated in Teneriffe.
the
Including ships' crews in port,
Germans are estimated to be about 1,500, tutored by German instructors. Resident Germans number about 700. Italians residents are negligible. Ships now in port 4 Italian and 4 German.
Air Assistance from the mainland.
There are a number of landing grounds on the Spanish mainland (Rio de Cro) and two organized bases, one at Cap Juby
150 miles from Grand Canary) and one at Villa Diameros 300 miles away). Present Spanish air forces in Rio de Ore consist of one squadron of 12 aircraft, mainly JU.52, but including 3 Me.109. Reinforcements could be flown from Germany Italy or Spain but maintenance difficulties would be a limiting factor.
Plan recommended.
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In the circumstances envisaged (1.e. Spain hostile), our commitments will be too great for us to capture both the Grand Canary and Teneriffe Islands at the same time. Therefore the plan should, in the first instance, be only for the capture of Grand Canary. If we succeed in this operation the aerodrome and harbour would provide us with a base for operations against Teneriffe. It is even possible that Teneriffe might capitulate.
20
For the attack on Grand Canary the following courses
are open:
W
(a) A direct assault on La Luz involving all the risks
associated with an attack against fixed defences. Such an attack would not necessarily guarantee the rapid seizure of the aerodrome facilities at Gando. For its success it must depend largely, if not entirely, on complete surprise.
(6)
The best alternative to a direct assault on La Luz appears to be to affect a landing on the Gando peninsula. Experience in Norway shows that with M.L.Cs. a reasonable quantity of artillery and stores can be landed on an open beach provided that the exits from the beach are suitable.
The early capture of La Luz from the landward side is
the next step. The advance of some 15 miles will be over difficult country affording good facilities for defence. The force must be one of all arms and capable of operating in mountainous country. For this reason and in view of the difficulties of landing, mechanical transport will have to be reduced to an absolute minimum compatible with the ability of the force to achieve its object.
(c) A combination of (a) and (b) above.
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