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CL
(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.)
SECRET
C.0.S.(40)480(J.P.)
Also Paper No. J.P. (40) 270).
22ND JUNE, 1940.
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
WAR
CABINE T.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
27
COPY NO.
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DEFENCE OF BRITISH INTERESTS IN WEST AFRICA
Report by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee.
In anticipation of instructions from the Chiefs of Staff we have considered how the security of British strategic interests in West Africa may be affected by a collapse of French resistance, in order to determine what measures we can take to meet the situation.
2.
We must provide against the possibility that French resistance to German and Italian pressure in French North Africa may break down. During the Summer of 1940, Germany's main effort is likely to be directed against Great Britain; but this would not prevent simultaneous German and Italian action in North Africa. By the Autumn, after we have successfully resisted attack on this country, the Germans are very likely to concentrate their attacks on our sea communications, and their action in North and West Africa is likely to be governed by naval and economic considerations,
German Objectives.
3.
The capture of Freetown by Germany would have a seriou effect on our sea communications via the Cape. From the naval point of view, no other objective on the West coast of Africa would be of the same order of importance, though from the economic point of view it might pay Germany to cut off our trade with Nigeria, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone and Gambia by the occupation of these Colonies, or at least of their ports. We would, however, point out that Dakar is a potential Naval base and is the terminus of the railway which passes to the North of all the French and British West African Colonies, and is also the terminus of the French air line from North Africa. If Dakar were to fall into enemy hands, it would be a serious embarrassment to
us,
Probable scale and Methods of German and Italian attack,
4. Owing to the distance involved seaborne attacks on our West African Colonies would involve great risks for the enemy, even if Gibraltar had become unusable through Spanish intervention. There is always the possibility of bombardment of the ports by individual raiding cruisers; a threat which will increase in the event of Spain intervening.
480
(J.P.)
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