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Defence Forces. (Spanish).
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The 2 harbours at La Luz
and Santa Cruz are strongly
defended.
La Luzz
17 battaries ranging from 5.9 to 10 inch totalling
some 48 guns.
Santa Cruz.
14 battaries ranging from 5.9 to 10 inch totalling
some 33 guns.
The garrison of the Island is believed to be -
2 Infantry Brigades.
2 Independent Battalions.
1 Anti-aircraft Group.
1 Regiment Moroccan Cavalry.
2 Coast Defence Artillery Regiments.
6 S.81 Bomber Aircraft.
German Elements.
There have been reports of considerable German activity in the Islands particularly at Teneriffe where there are believed to be about 1,500 Germans;
resident Germans number about 700. Ships now in port
4 Italian and 4 German.
Air Assistance from the Mainland.
There are a number of landing grounds on the Spanish land (Rio de Oro) and 2 organised bases, one 150 and one 130 milies distant from Grand Canary. The Spanish air forces on
the mainland are small but reinforcements could be flown from Germany, Italy or Spain.
5. FORCES REQUIRED TO CAPTURE CANARIES.
Army.
Naval.
1 Infantry Division with a reduced scale of
artillery but including 3.7's.
1 Light A.A. Battery
At least 1 heavy A.A. Battery.
Escort cover for the convoys,
An aircraft carrier until adequate A.A. defences
are established.
1 or 2 cruisers and some destroyers to cover the
landing.
Air.
1 Fighter Squadron.
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