CAB80-13 — Page 101

Page 101

86

AZORES.

13.

With Spain against us and our trade routed further to the westward, it will be of great importance to us to deny the prospective naval and air bases in the Azores to the enemy ›

14.

We estimate the forces required to capture and occupy the requisite islands (see Annex) to be:-

15.

Army

Naval

15

Air

་་

One infantry brigade, Field Company,

Field Ambulance.

One battloship to neutralise the batteries

and two destroyers to provide close covering fire.

Reconnaissance aircraft (one flight of

obsolete type) to be added to the

garrison after capture for watching the islands,

Shipping Two liners, store and M.T. ships as

required,

Occupation of these islands would also give us valuable fuelling bases (Gibraltar being no longer usable with Spain hostile) and would secure the cables.

MADEIRA.

16.

the

As there is an alternative cable via the Azores, occupation of Madeira for the protection of the cable station is not justifiable, There is no harbour suitable as a naval base.

POLICY WITH REGARD TO PRRTUGUESE ISLANDS.

170

In view of the above, the Cape Verdes and Azores should evidently be captured in event of Portugal being hostile or being overrun by our enemies. But the further question arises whether, if Spain enters or shows signs of intending to enter the way, they should be occupied forthwith so as to ensure forestalling the enemy, The argument against our doing so,apart from the obvious one that we should be occupying by force the territory of a neutral Power, are:- (a) that it might expose the Portuguese mainland to retaliation by Spain, and we should not be in a position to afford Portugal diroot assistance, (b) it might afford the Japanese a pretext for action against Timor.

Nevertheless, we feel that the time is past when we can afford to allow our policy to be dictated by these considerations. The existence of the Empire is at stake, and, if we go under, Portugal cannot hope to survive as a Colonial Power, if she survives at all, We therefore recommend that the moment there is clear evidence either that Spain intends

cand

Page 101

يوم

Page 101

Page 101