CAB80-13 — Page 119

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4.

The following paragraphs contain the proposals we suggest should be made to the French,

French Navy.

5.

If the will to resist is evident, the French Fleet should concentrate immediately at French North or West African ports. British ports, including Gibraltar, will be at their disposal if required. As much ammunition as possible should be shipped to the United Kingdom and/or French Colonies, together with machine tools, jigs, gauges, etc., required for future manufacture.

6. If it is clear that the French are on the point of making terms, it is vital that they should move their Fleet to British ports before discussing terms with Germany.

Otherwise the Germans will insist on its surrender. In the last resort they must scuttle their Fleet rather than surrender it.

7.

In either case they should be urged to remove valuable naval equipment and ships under sonstruction from French bases. All coast defences should be demolished. Plans should be prepared for blocking or destroying the naval bases which the Germans or Italians might use, and for securing any French colonial bases, such as Casablanca and Dakar, which we might require for our own forces.

The French Army.

8.

If the will to resist still remains, the French should begin to evacuate units and material not required for the fighting in France to North Africa, Specialists and technical units should have priority.

9.

9

If the will to resist has clearly disappeared, we should try to secure as much French war material as possible, particularly 75 mm, ammunition for the field guns coming from the U.S.A. anti-tank guns and tanks, and the French should be told that we are ready to accept any technical tradesmen who are willing to join us. Apart from the above they should be urged to destroy as mich of their war material es possible to prevent it falling into the hands of enemy.

to

10. As an earnest of French co-operation, some French Army and Air Force units should be evacuated to this country. The Army units would be particularly valuable for

assisting us in offensive operations.

Polish and Czech Troops,

11.

Special efforts should be made to evacuate Polish and Czech troops to Northern Africa in order that they may keep alive the entity of the national forces of the se countries.

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