THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S government
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
SECRET.
o.s. (40) 231
(Also V.P.(G)(40)39).
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
INDIA:
SITUATION IN WAZIRISTAN.
Report.
بل
COPY NO.
We have been asked by the Minister for Co-ordination
of Defence to examine the consequential effects, and risks
entailed to our war plans, of any intensive renewal of
military operations in Waziristan at the moment, taking
into particular consideration the situation in respect of
Russia. This question is put to us in the light of
certain operations in the Ahmadzai Salient now proposed
by the Government of India and referred to in the Secretary of State for India's Memorandum (W.P. (40) (G.)
23).
2.
Effect of Extensive Operations on the North West
Frontier on our War Effort.
The situation may be broadly summarised as follows:-
(a) We are at present in a position where we
might shortly find ourselves involved in hostilities with Russia.
(b) If this situation arises, we shall have to
accept serious additional commitments which will place a severe strain on Allied resources. The forces in India will find themselves fully occupied and we should have to call upon India to despatch a division to protect the Anglo-Iranian Oil Fields immediately.
(c) As the Foreign Office recently pointed out*
as soon as the Afghan Government think that war between Russia and the Allies is imminent, we shall probably be faced with a demand for a pact of mutual assistance, and a request for concrete support against a Russian attack on Afghanistan,
*c.0.S. (40) 224 Para. 7.
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