Page 289
Page 289
236
5.
It will also be recalled that it was agreed that the A. A. Units of this organisation should be equipped when required for special service, from material provided from the Middle East pool.
6.
It appears that the Admiralty requirements for reinforcement of A. An defences and possibly for the provision of defences of new bases are likely, in the immediate future, to be greater in the Far East than in the Middle East. In this connection it is pointed out that Colombo and Trincomalee are virtually undefended at present and there are no A.A. defences for Port To
7.
The Chiefs of Staff had been informed that there now are more A. A. equipments in the Middle East than can be manned by the available trained personnel, and it is understood that this position is likely to continue for several W/S convoys.
8*
It is therefore proposed that the A.A. Units of the M.N.B.D.0. set out above should forthwith be formed into an Air Defence Brigade equipped from the Middle East and prepared in all respects to embark at a very early date for Ceylon. Such R. M. A/A personnel as may be available in Middle East in addition to the Brigade should accompany it for training as first reinforments, and arrangements should be made in Ceylon for further training of reinforcements.
9.
It is considered that this Brigade should be placed entirely at the disposal of the Commander-in-Chief, India, for operational and administrative purposes. A suggested draft telegram is attached.
Admiralty, S.W.1.
11th December, 1941.
Annex.
-2.
Page 289
Page 289
Page 289