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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).
TOLE KE,
FROCK AND KEY,
It is requested that special care may be taken to
ensure the secrecy of this document.
158
SECRET.
C.0.S.(40) 823.
11TH OCTOBER, 1940.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
COPY NO.
AIR REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.
Reference:
C.0.S.(40) 817 Annex V, and C.0.S.(40)
343rd Meeting, Minute 1)
Copy of a letter dated 10th October, 1940, from the Secretary of State for Air to Secretary of State for War
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I am only toc well aware of our present weakness in the air in the Middle East, and I share your concern about the position. We have, of course, always been out-numbered there in the air as on land since the enemy is on interior lines and can reinforce his air forces in North Africa quickly and easily, while since the collapse of France the reinforcement of our air forces in Egypt has become a difficult and laborious process.
The first and most effective reinforcement is re-equipment of squadrons now equipped with inefficient and obsolete types. This we are doing as fast as possible.
The
The reinforcement programme for the months August to November inclusive is stated in W.P. (40) 388. present position is that the three Wellingtons of the September allotment have made the passage by air and the thirty Blenheim IV's only await suitable weather and moon conditions to go. The Hurricanes, Blenheims and Lysanders of the October allotment are packed and twenty Blenheims have already been shippod. We are also proposing to increase the number of Wellingtons despaiched in the near future, so as to speed up the re-equipment of the two Bomber Transport Squadrons in Egypt. The air route across from Takoradi is already in operation and is being used to the limit of its present capacity.
In addition to the aircraft shown in W.P.(40) 388, 227 fighters and 218 bombers from America have been allocated to the Middle East and by the middle of January there should be, including the South African Air Force, 31⁄2 squadrons of Mohawks and 3 squadrons of Glenn Martin bombers in the Middle East area.
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823
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