CAB80-13 — Page 105

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Naval

Air

Shipping

One or two cruisers to cover the landing. Escort and cover for the convoys depending

on the naval situation.

One aircraft carrier, to provide and maintain

air protection until adequate A.A. defences have been put ashore.

One fighter squadron.

At least four liners and M.T. and store ships

as necessary.

A.L.Cs. for the assault battalion. M.L.Cs. for landing guns and M.T.

It is unlikely that sufficient landing craft will be available before the end of June.

Permanent garrison.

9.

If, however, we wish to use the harbour as a naval base the following would be required as a minimum:

1 heavy A.A. Regiment (less one battery).

1

light A.A. Regiment (less one battery).

R.D.F. Station,

A/S Defences.

It may further be necessary to instal C.D. equipment should Spanish defences be effectively destroyed.

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

Object.

10. Our object would be to deny the islands to the enemy and to protect the cable station.

Strategic Points.

11. The strategic points are:

-

(i) Sal Italian civil aerodrome already established.

(ii) St. Vincent

(Porto Grande)

fuelling point for U-boats

and raiders.

Very important cable station. Landing ground.

(iii) Maio - Landing Ground (property of Air France).

(iv) St. Jago Landing ground.

Size and Population,

12. The group which consists of eight principal islands is roughly 200 miles square.

Most of the islands are parren, mountainous, and lacking in water,

1,000.

20,000.

Sal is some 15 miles by 6 with a population of about

St. Vincent is ten miles square with a population about

There are believed to be about 60 Germans in Porto Grande and 100 Italians in Sal.

.3-

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