CAB80-13 — Page 103

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ANNEX

TACTICAL AND ADHINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

BALEARIC ISLANDS.

1.

The operations for the seizure of these islands is a French responsibility, Plans have been prepared by the French entailing the employment of four battalions. However General Nogues, Commanding at Oran, does not put much faith in the possibility of carrying out the plans owing the pro- fascist leanings of the Spanish Commander in the Balearics.

British commitments will be limited to organising a British 5th Column element in the islands and to assisting the French in obtaining information of Italian plans, intentions and preparatory moves. We note that the French responsibility for planning these operations is in the hands of Admiral Estera and General Nogues, In the plan no troops arrive in the islands until the third day. In view of the necessity of speed in these operations, we recommend that steps should be taken to quicken up the French plan.

CANARIES.

Object.

2.

Our object would be to deny the facilities of the islands to the enemy.

Strategic Points.

The strategic points to be denied to the enemy are:

Grand Canary

the harbour at La Luz the

aerodrome at Gando.

Teneriffe

Size and Population,

4.

the harbour and landing ground

at Santa Cruz.

The islands can be divided into three groups:·

(a)

G

Teneriffe and Grand Canary, the most important

of the archipelago.

(b) Western group consisting Palma, Gomera and Ferro.

(c) Eastern group consisting of Fuerteventura and

Lanzarote.

The Grand Canary, which is mountainous, is

approximately 25 miles square and had a population of 180,000 in 1920.

Tenerife, 30 miles N.. of Grand Canary, is slightly larger with a costechly smaller population than the latter

It is extremely mountainous.

island.

*

Attached Telegram from No. 3 Military Mission. M. R. (J)(40) 137, Minute 3.

* 1

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