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4.
If this view is accepted, it remains to balance the moral advantage of a protracted defence against the disadvantages of the political pressure for a relief of the garrison and the sufferings of the civil population which would result from such a defence.
On a long view I am of the opinion that reinforcement of the garrison would not be sound so long as the present Naval situation in the Atlantic and Mediterranean persists.
•
At Annex I is a draft reply to the Commander-in-Chief for consideration by the Committee.
The War Office,
22ND JANUARY, 1941.
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