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SECRET.
ENCLOSURE "A" TO ANNEX I.
SPAIN
CANARY ISLANDS, TENERIFFE.
179
Our representative reports as follows. (13th June): ·
Present German activities consist of frequent meetings and mysterious night journeys into the interior. They have been seen around Garachico but are suspected of going frequently to Esperanza Forest. No Italian activities yet. Resident Germans are about 700 but some new faces which cannot be accounted for may be introduced under cover of ships crews. Italian residents negligible.
The Germans are normally occupied in businesses peculiar to this Island (Teneriffe) but are now doing little business, It is considered significant that few Germans are to be seen in the town when Army manoeuvres are taking place and it is suspected that they may be giving technical advice.
It
Ships now in port are three Italian tankers, one cargo, three German tankers one cargo, plus one cargo at Las Palmas. There is no evidence of abnormal crews. is firmly believed that the German residents and crews are organised for either Fifth Column or sabotage and local authorities place no difficulties in their way. Artillery firing practice took place on 12th June at Esperanza and last week at Punta Hidalgo.
It is considered that any allied attempt to take this Island at once would be successful but every day that passes stiffens ability to resist.
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