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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KE
*t is requested that special care magic ensure the secrecy of this document
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END
(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).
SECRET.
was considered at c-a.
· 8(41) 5 á
Meeting
C.O.S. (41) 762.
COPY NO. 33
31ST DECEMBER, 1941.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
THE PROVISION OF SHIPS FOR TRAINING IN COMBINED OPERATIONS.
Memorandum by the Adviser on Combined Operations.
The situation described in item 7 in the minutes of the 406th Meeting of the Chiefs of Staff held on Wednesday, 3rd December, 1941, has been brought to a head by S. S. ORBITA and S. S. SILVER SANDAL being both required for operation BONUS. Director of Plans' Signal 1956A of 23rd December ordered these ships to be operationally fit for embarkation by 17th January
1942
2.
S.S. ORBITA is doing duty as accommodation ship at TOWARD POINT, where she is required to accommodate 350 officers and ratings of the Royal Navy, who form the crews for the T. L. C. S. and up to 600 officers and other ranks of the Army.
3. The armoured division is required to be trained by the spring of 1942 and this will not be possible unless an immediate replacement of S. S. ORBITA can be made, as the training of armoured formations cannot continue unless an accommodation ship is provided.
4.
Delay in replacement will also affect the long term policy for training armoured divisions, postponing the date by which the total number required will be trained.
5.
S.S. SILVER SANDAL is doing duty as M. T. Ship at INVERARAY for the training of Docks Operating Companies, Royal Engineers. This ship could be replaced by a hulk, provided that it was possible to raise steam to work her winches.
6.
It is therefore requested that, to enable training to proceed, the Ministry of War Transport be invited to provide permanently, or hold at short notice suitable reliefs for S.S. ORBITA and S. S. SILVER SANDAL.
(Signed) LOUIS MOUNTBATTEN.
Great George Street, S. W. 1.
31st December, 1941.
th
This document was considered at C.0.5(42)
Min. 1.
C.0.5. (42) 5 "Meeting
762
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