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19
ċic
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)..
SECRET.
This do
was considered at c. 0.5 (4) 414 Meeting. 33
COPY NO
C.0.S. (41) 686. (Revise)
22ND NOVEMBER. 1941.
WAR CABINET
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
COMBINED OPERATIONS - AIR COMMITTEE.
Memorandum by the Adviser on Combined Operations.
No. 1.6/207
The first meeting of the Inter-Services Committee on Training and Policy (see C.0.S. (41) 629)paragraph 5(a)) has already produced results which demonstrate the value of a senior committee in dealing with questions of major policy. The character of this Training and Policy Committee, however, consisting as it does of members from the Training Directorates, does not lend itself to the discussion of the urgent and important question of Air Requirements for Combined Operations. Consideration has therefore been given of how best to formulate proposals to the Chiefs of Staff on this matter and it is suggested that a "high power" Combined Operations Air Committee promises the best solution.
2.
Such questions as the types and quantities of aircraft, the provision of special equipment, the modification. of aircraft and the construction of special craft involve many conflicting interests and it is desirable that before proposals are put to the Chiefs of Staff they should have been examined not only for their strategical or tactical desirability but also from the practical standpoints of supply and expediency. It is to make recommendations on these questions of high policy
It is that the creation of an Air Committee is suggested. thought that the work of this Air Committee would be amply repaid by saving service departments from the labour of examining unco-ordinated proposals which might eventually have to be turned down through the existence of factors not known or insufficiently understood by the originator.
3.
To fulfil this function the members of the Committee would necessarily have to be of the highest seniority in the departments they represent and it is suggested that the following would be suitable:-
Chairman: A.C.O.
Admiralty
War Office
Air Ministry
Combined Operations
-1-
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5th Sea Lord or his representatives.
V.C.I.G.S. or his representatives.
V.C.A.S. or his
representatives.
Air Commodore C.T.C.
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686
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