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This broad policy is for your guidance and you are to exercise a wide discretion in applying it to circumstances at any given ti e. You should forward your requirements for this purpose in due course, including your requirements of funds and of British officers and N.C.Os. to replace French officers and N.C.Os. if necessary.
8.
Plans should be prepared against the event of com- plete French collapse for the demolition of petrol and other facilities on French landing grounds in Senegal and on the main French air route from Algiers via Gao to Bangui and Duala to prevent subsequent use by enemy. Possible requirements for air reinforcement of Middle East via West Africa should be borne in mind. Group Captain Smyth-Pigott is now at Casablanca and has been told of your appointement. You should get in touch with him c/o Consul General Casablanca.
9.
You will select the locality of your Headquarter and report.
The Government of the Dependency in which you establish you Headquarters will provide the political liaison between you and the other West African Governments initially; subsequently you should forward your recommen- dations on this matter.
For administrative convenience, the Governor of Nigeria and Gold Coast will initially form the link between you and the Governors of the other three colonies: but this arrangements implies no special position for Nigeria and Gold Coast in the order of strategic or economic importance of the four colonies.
10. You will forward recommendations regarding staff you require.
11.
You will be informed of the arrangements which are being made to provide aircraft for yourself for purposes.of intercommunication.
12. On arrival you will get in immediate touch with the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic. who has been given powers to treat directly with French authorities in West Africa on military and air matters pending your arrival.
13. In due course you should forward your appreciations of the defence of the British Colonies, and of the situation in the French Colonial territories. These appreciations should contain your recommendations for any increase in your forces, either reinforcements for immediate needs or new African forces to be raised for future requirements.
Cabinet War Rooms
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