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employed to attack-objectives indicated either on-the initiative of the Air Officer Commanding, R.A.F. in Korthern Ireland, or at your request, through Headquarters, Royal Air Force in Northern Ireland. If communication through Headquarters, Royal Air Force in Northern Ireland are unsatisfactory, you may indicate targets for direct support bomber action by squadrons based in England through Headquarters, No. 75 Wing, direct to Bomber Command (or to any Bomber Group which may have been indicated).
11. There is at present one fighter squadron (Hurricanes) in Northern Ireland and arrangements have been made for a further four Hurricane Squadrons to move to Ireland on a Wing-Serving basis, in the event of invasion and as soon as adequately protected aerodrome accommodation is available for them. These fighter squadrons will remain under the general direction of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, but will be controlled locally by the Air Officer Commanding, R.A.F. in Northern Ireland. The principle guiding the employment of these squadrons will be primarily the defeat of the invader. In addition, the Coastal Command fighter squadrons already in Northern Ireland will be available to co-operate should the situation render it essential, at the discretion of the Air Ministry. The General Reconnaissance squadrons located in Northern Ireland will not be available for operations within Ireland,
12. You will be responsible for all planning in connection with operations in Ireland, in gonjunction with the Air Officer Commanding in respect of air operations. It may be anticipated that the Eire Government and armed forces would be co-operating with us, but it would be unwise to rely upon the Eire forces to render any effective assistance. It is not inconceivable that the Eire forces might actively oppose our operations. Although this is not regarded as likely measures for such an eventuality should be included in your plans.
13. A note on the 'probable scale of enemy attacks is attached as Annex II to these instructions.
14. (a) If you are satisfied that a serious invasion of
Eire has taken place which calls for the intervention of the troops under your command, you are authorised to take action forthwith, without obtaining, authority from the War Office, provided. that every effort has been made to obtain confirmation from the United Kingdom Representative in Dublin.
(b) If you receive information that Eire's neutrality
has been violated but are uncertain;
(i) As to the authenticity of the
information;
Or
(ii) Whether the situation justified your
intervention;
You should refer to the War Office for
authority.
(c) If you ..receive a request for assistance from the
Eire Government through the United Kingdom Representative in Dublin, you are authorised to accept it without reference to the War Office,
(d) You will be responsible for informing the Air
Officer Commanding R.A.F. in Northern Ireland, that a state of invasion exists,
Richmond Terrace, S. W. 1.
9th October, 1940.
(Signed) C. L. N. NEWALL.
11
DUDLEY POUND,·
J. G. DILL.
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