Page 314
Page 314
ANNEX I.
COPY OF A LETTER FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO SECRETARY, CHIEF OF STAFF COMMITTEE DATED 19TH OCTOBER, 1940.
X
X
א
X
X
Since writing my letter No. R 7789/G of the 16th October about the question of Greek resistance to an attack by the Axis, we have received Palairet's telegram No. 961. You will probably already have seen it, but I enclose a copy for convenience of reference.
I am sure that Palairet is right in laying such particular stress on the danger of the effect that unopposed air bombardment is likely to have, both on the morale of the Greek army and the determination of the Greek civilian population. I am sure that the Chiefs of Staff will bear this point in mind. I am told by persons with intimate knowledge of Greece' and the Greeks that the effect of even a light bombardment on open Greek towns with no anti-aircraft and fighter defence would be catastrophic. It would be a great mistake to credit the Greeks with the same toughness in bombardment as some northern nations possess, and it seems probable that the effect of unopposed bombardment would be widespread panic, followed rapidly by a disintegration of the country.
X
x
X
א
X
ENCLOSURE TO ANNEX I,
COPY OF TELEGRAM NO. 961 FROM SIR M. PALAIRET (ATHENS) TO SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR DATED 17TH OCTOBER, 1940.
I
X
X
X
274
Headquarters Middle East have received repetition of my numerous telegrams reporting President of the Council's request for equipment and above all air support in the event of Greece being attacked (see my telegram to the Foreign Office 950 of 14th October). While you are reviewing the position in the Middle East, I should like to point out that General Metaxas as well as being a statesmanis a Staff Officer of international reputation. He has based his policy on belief in our victory: but he has persistently warned us of strategic danger of concentrating on helping Turkey to the
-3-
Page 314
Page 314
Page 314