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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT). 94
SECRET.
TO BE KE
It is *
C.0.S.(40) 810,
ensur
8th OCTOBER, 1940.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
MALTA USE AS A FLEET BASE.
B
COPY NO.
29
Memorandum by the First Sea Lord and Chief of
Naval Staff.
There are many indications that an attack in force on Egypt from Libya by oth Italian and German forces
This attack may be the next big move of the Axis Powers. may be accompanied by an attack on Spain with the object of reaching Gibraltar, or it may stand alone.
2.
Libya itself produces nothing and all the forces, supplies and every kind of equipment required for a big scale attack have to come across the sea from Italy or Sicily. It is clear that if we could stop this sea movement
We do we should greatly reduce the whole attack on Egypt. not at present think that there are large German forces in this area and the stoppago of movement by sea would consequently prevent Germany developing any but an air effort in Libya.
3.
The problem of stopping communications between Sicily and Libya is, like other similar problems, mainly one of time and distance, With the Fleet based on Alexandria we can never hope effectively to stop this movement. Air reconnaissance has given a great advantage to the weaker sea power who wishes to move forces in certain areas because he can keep the area under observation from the air and wait till the coast is clear before commencing his movement. In the Eastern Mediterranean this is particularly true because with Italian air situated in the Italian mainland, Libya and the Dodecanese, our forces are continually under observation and we cannot make any movement without it being known. Further, with the many Italians in Egypt, leakage of information about the movements of our fleet would be almost certain even without air reconnaissance.
4.
The only way we can hope to control this cross- Mediterranean traffic is to base our fleet or part of it closer to the scene of action and ourselves to establish effective air reconnaissance in the area. The only base we possess is Malta and this is unfortunately situated so close to the Italian mainland that the Italians can develop a very heavy scale of attack on it if they wish to do so.
5.
The island itself is also unfortunately so small as not to provide room for very large defending air forces. However, at Scapa Flow, by the provision of adequate
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