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4.
It is intended that Serials 2-5 inclusive should be available as a general pool either for Commander-in-Chief, Indiɛ, for distribution on arrival in consultation with Commander-in- Chief, Far East, or for despatch to the various theatres of war in accordance with the situation at the time of their arrival at Durban.
5.
In addition there is the diversion to India of one heavy anti-aircraft regiment with 16 heavy anti-aircraft guns and one light anti-aircraft regiment with 24 guns destined for Iraq and now in W.S.12.Z. and also the reinforcement of one heavy anti-aircraft regiment (24) and one light anti-aircraft regiment (36) from Gymnast and now in W.S.14.(a).
6.
It will not be possible in the time available to find from December production the full 120 heavy anti-aircraft and 328 light anti-aircraft guns required under paragraph 3 above. Proposals for meeting this commitment are put forward in the following paragraphs.
7. Heavy Anti-Aircraft.
It should be possible to find from production all requirements except Serials 4 and 5 of paragraph 3, i.e. 48 guns. These guns can be provided either by:
(1) despatch from Middle East of 48 of the 100 guns now held
for use in Turkey and for which Middle East hold no personnel;
(ii) withdrawal from A.D.G.B.
It is recommended that (i) above should be adopted and if necessary replacements sent from future production.
8. Light Anti-Aircraft.
Up to 72 equipments to be withdrawn from A.D.G.B. and a further 24 found by the cancellation of the December allocation to Home Forces. The only alternative is to reduce the December allocation of 120 light anti-aircraft guns to Middle East, In either event a withdrawal of up to 100 equipments from A.D.G.B. may be necessary in order to meet shipping dates.
9.
It should also be noted that if anti-aircraft units are despatched in W.S.14(d) round the Cape route, i.e. at the expense of Gymnast, other units will have to be provided as soon as possible in replacement. It will thus be necessary to make good these equipments by withdrawals from A.D.G.B.
10.
The total withdrawals from A.D.G.B. will then be:
Hy.A.A.
Lt. A.A.
Paragraph 8 Paragraph 9
72
100
24
36
24
108 - 136
with a possible additional 48 heavy anti-aircraft. guns unless these are found from Middle East pool for Turkey, vide paragraph. 7. Cancellation of outstanding December allocations already approved at the 407th Meeting of the Chiefs of Staff will not provide a solution for obtaining the necessary equipments in time. Readjustments to meet this changed programme will be show in the allocations for January.
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