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Oporto would make a suitable base from which light
forces could watch the northern Spanish harbours for
movement of German submarines and merchantmen.
There are suitable aerodromes in the neighbourhood
of Lisbon from which aircraft, if available, could be
operated for the protection of trade. There are a few
anchorages on the Portuguese coast which could be used as
seaplane bases.
9.
Both the Azores and Cape Verde Islands lie close
to those important main trade routes, and could afford
anchorages for naval forces.
10.
They would
The principal use we might make of the Islands would
be as bases for long range air reconnaissance for the
protection of trade, and the hunting of raiders.
also be of value to enable flying boats now building for us
in America to be flown to this country during the winter
months. There are no properly developed air facilities in
the Azores, but there are several anchorages suitable for
flying boat bases which have, in fact, been used in
connection with trans-Atlantic services.
11.
At Sal, in the Cape Verde Islands, the Italians have
recently developed a civil air base which is now in use for
trans-Atlantic services, and which could presumably be used
for reconnaissance by us.
12.
In addition, the British cable station in the
Azores, forming a junction of cables between the United
Kingdom, Halifax, Capetown and Gibraltar, is of great
strategic importance. There is also a British cable
station at Madeira which could be used as an alternative
to the Azores.
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