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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.
SECRET.
Ikis document was considered at (4) 682 Meeting.
C.0.S.(41) 682.
14TH NOVEMBER, 1941.
COPY NO.
1.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
AIRCRAFT STAGING POST - GIBRALTAR.
Memorandum by the Vice Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
The North Front Emergency Landing Ground has been used since March 1941 as a staging post in the air reinforcement route to the Middle East and about 120 aircraft pass through the staging post each month.
The Commander-in-Chief, Gibraltar was instructed in May 1941 to give the work on the existing runways a high priority.
2.
On the 23rd October, 1941, the Air Ministry asked the War Office as a matter of urgency to hasten the work on the present runway and to extend it for an additional 500 yards.
This new project entails extending the existing runway 500 yards by 150 yards westwards into the sea.
3. project
4.
The Air Ministry urge the early completion of this new
(a) to enable the staging post to be used by heavier types
of bombers, with an increased payload.
(b) to assist the passage of bombers from America to the
United Kingdom during winter months.
The Commander-in-Chief, Gibraltar has emphasised the magnitude of the new project but the plans which he has been asked to prepare have not yet been received.
5.
The United States Military Attache and Air representative have stressed the importance of this intermediate staging post as a very necessary insurance for ferrying their heavy bombers via BATHURST to the United Kingdoin,
6.
The question of the infringement of Spanish neutrality has been examined by the Foreign Office who agree to the development of this new project so long as the Services are prepared to accept the risk of causing friction with Spain.
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682
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