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32
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)
this document was considered at 4) 392 Meetin
SECRET.
C.O.S. (41) 690.
18th November, 1941
COPY NO. 33
WAR CABINET
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES IN THE STRAITS OF
GIBRALTAR.
Memorandum by First Sea Lord,
Recent sinkings, including H., S. ARK ROYAL and H. M.S. COSSACK, emphasize the urgent necessity of destroying or, failing that, driving away the U-boats now operating in the vicinity of Gibraltar.
2.
Unless this is done quickly the enemy, finding that this is a profitable area, will increase the number of U-boats in this neighbourhood and make the waters near the Straits of Gibraltar extremely hazardous,
3.
The reinforcement for this purpose of the Gibraltar forces that could be provided most quickly is aircraft, which also likely to be the most effective as A'S conditions in these waters are extremely difficult.
4.
It is not possible for any more Flying Boats to be. accommodated in the Harbour, and therefore it would be necessary to send A.S.V. fitted land planes, The proposal is to send 10 Hudsons and these would require to operate from the North Front Landing Ground.
5. This landing ground is on the neutral territory and the present understanding with Spain only allows for emergency landings.
We have already interpreted this understanding very liberally and have used the ground extensively as a stage post
To this the Spanish for bombers going to the Middle East. authorities have turned a blind eye, though fully aware of what we are doing.
6.
By stretching our interpretation still further there is some risk of a protest from Spain, but the recent sinkings in territorial waters of a Spanish vessel off Spanish Morocco, of a British ship off Huelva, and of a French ship off Algiers, should help the Spaniards to welcome measures to counter the activities of U-boats, and to protect neutral shipping from their attacks.
7.
Politically, therefore, the risk of a serious controversy with the Spaniards is perhaps less now than at any time previously, and the need is urgent.
The approval is therefore requested to use the North Front Landing Ground for this purpose.
(Signed) DUDLEY POUND.
A
69€
Great George Street, S.W.1.
18th November, 1941.
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