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GR 109

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

SECRET.

C.0.S.(40) 466 (J.P.)

(Also Paper No.

40)245)

14th JUNE, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

COPY NO.

27

466 (J.P.)

POLICY IN A CERTAIN EVENTUALITY.

Aide Memoire by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee.

We have prepared the following notes to assist the Chiefs of Staff at their forthcoming meeting with the French, They are based on the assumption that although organised resistance in France is at an end the French Government and people still intend to continue to fight.

20

depend adopt.

3.

The proposals which can be made to the French will cry much upon the attitude which it is found they

(a) It may be found that genuine determination to

continue the fight exists.

(b) It may be clear that all will to resist has

disappeared and that it is merely a matter of time before the French accept German terms,

Lord Hankey has suggested that there is much to be said for encouraging the idea in French minds that they should establish themselves in strength in North Africa. The advantages he claims for this are:

(a) A vast shipping tonnage is available at Marseilles

to convey troops and war material,

(b) French North African Colonies would be more

accessible than the coasts of this country for French aircraft, and naval war material could be more easily evacuated from Toulon,

(c) The conquest of Tripoli might prove possible. (a) The idea might inspire the defeatest political elements, Given a more robust outlook, the French might be inclined to co-operate more actively in the measures we propose below.

(e) Spain might be deterred from joining the axis

by the presence of large French forces in North Africa.

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