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1.
ANNEX III.
INDIA. SITUATION IN WAZIRISTAN.
(Reference W.P.(G)(40) 23).
Note by the Air Staff.
This is a proposal by the Government of India to undertake an operation by two Brigades (with, of course, air co-operation) and to build roads in tribal territory.
2.
It will be recalled that the Chatfield Commission recommended, and the Government of India agreed, that "Both Governments would collaborate in preparing plans which, as regards India, would take account not only of India's local defence and internal security, but also of the threats external to, and perhaps not even localised near, her frontier and coasts, instead of treating them in isolation" (paragraph 73).
It is most strongly urged that this procedure should be adopted in this case, and the matter should be referred to the Chiefs of Staff to consider and report. In their consideration of the subject they will, of course, have the advantage of the expert evidence of the Military Secretary, India Office.
3.
The arguments in support of the proposal are marshalled very cogently in the telegram from India and the covering Memorandum by Lord Zetland. The arguments against the proposal, however, are not included in the papers.
It is not suggested that it is possible to control the North West Frontier of India from Whitehall, and it is fully realised that those on the spot who have to carry out the task should, whenever possible, receive our support for the measures they recommend, subject to the wider considerations of Imperial Defence as a whole. Some of the arguments against the proposal cannot however be known to the authorities in India; and it is essential that the problem should be examined in all its aspects, that the disadvantages as well as the advantages of the proposal should be taken into account, and a decision taken by the War Cabinet in the light of all the factors.
The main point against it is that, in present circumstances, it is obviously extremely undesirable to undertake any operations in India or anywhere else if they can possibly be avoided. We are now in a position where we may shortly find ourselves openly at war with Russia, Should that situation materialise, the forces in India may and probably will find themselves very fully occupied, without taking on any minor local operations that could possibly be avoided or postponed. In particular the limited air forces in India will have heavy responsibilities, and our capacity to reinforce or even maintain them fully is definitely limited.
5.
It is axiomatic that small operations undertaken as limiting commitments are notoriously liable in India to extend into formidable campaigns. A trifling incident in Waziristan in 1936 involved the Government of India in a campaign lasting two years, in which several divisions and
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