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ANTEX I.
SIGNAL D. TED 10TH FEBRUARY, 1941 FROM: F.0.
HUMBER TO ADMIRALTY, C.-IN-C.
NOPE.
The situation regarding A/A fire against minelaying aircraft at the Humber Mouth has become intolerable. It is established that 140 hostile aircraft have operated over the mouth of the Humber during the last eight days. Two hundred mines have been laid with practically no opposition although patrol craft armed with Lewis guns have done their best and have prevented the aircraft coming low in their immediate vicinity. I am informed that the army are forbidden to open fire until an aircraft has committed an hostile act and then only if permission has been obtained from Fighter Command, It appears that minelaying is not considered an hostile act.
Request chat some vessels with good A/A armament may be sent to Humber to provide some defence. Local military A/A Commanú deplores rest Actions and desires to co-operate.
2353/10.
ANNEX II.
SIGNAL DATED 11TH FEBRUARY, 1941 FROM C.-IN-C.,
NORE TO THE ADMIRALTY.
78. Ref. 2353/10 from F.0. Humber.
I fully appreciate R.A.F. point of view but this is not the best way to win the war. We have many aerodromes but few harbours and the safe arrival of cargoes is vital.
Situation has been reached where grave shipping and mine-sweeper losses must be expected or alternatively there must be some inconvenience to two aerodromes and a measure of risk to some of our aircraft. Even if we shot down every night one British and three enemy bombers we should be winnin- the war more quickly than with present procedure.
The loss of life and material due to constant mining in our harbours and their approaches is immensely in excess of anything that has occurred or might occur in British aircraft fired at in error by our guns.
1120/11.
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