12
Page 13
10
MESHED route in 7.
Owing to the existence of the NOKKUNDI Eastern Persia, which must be operated by India and which is quite separate from the main communications leading from the Persian Gulf, Eastern Persia, including this route, should remain within the boundary of the Command of Commander-in-Chief, India.
8.
An essential corollary to the transfer of Command of land forces to the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, is the extension of the responsibilities of the Minister of State to include Persia s well as Iraq. This will allow the Minister of State's Defence Council to cover the whole of the extended Middle East Command, and will greatly assist in proper co-ordination in the development of transportation facilities in the present Middle East Command and Iraq and Persia.
9.
Recommendations.
I recommend that:-
(a) The command of land forces in Iraq and Persia be
transferred to Commander-in-Chief, Middle East as soon as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East's preoccupation with operation CRUSADER permits.
(b) The actual date of transfer should be mutually
arranged between the Commanders-in-Chief, Middle East and India.
(c) The India Office be invited to obtain the views of
the Government of India on the proposed arrangements for representation at Cairo.
(d) The responsibilities of the Minister of State be
extended so as to include Persia.
The War Office.
13th November, 1941.
(Signed)
J.G.DILL.
C. I.G.S.
Page 13
Page 13
Page 13
Page 13