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The first essential is to continue the fight in France. Provided the will to resist exists we think there is much to be said for the proposal that the French should be encouraged to continue the fight from North Africa.
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We set out below notes on the various proposals which we suggest should be made to the French, We suggest that Lord Hankey, who has been intimately concerned in the preparation of these plans and is fully aware of the detailed position in respect of each, should accompany the party to France.
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 placed at their disposal if required,
6.
If it seems clear that the French will to resist has disappeared 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 to the Germans or Italians.
7。
8. In any event they should be urged to remove valuable naval equipment and ships under construction from French bases, Plans should be prepared for blocking or destroying their naval bases which the Germans or Italians might use for operations against ourselves, and for securing the use of any French Colonial bases such as Casablanca and Dakar which we might require for our own forces,
The French Army.
до
France.
The first essential is to continue to fight in
10.
Provided the will to resist is evident, they should prepare plans to evacuate units and material not required for the fighting in France to North Africa, Specialists and technical units which would best serve to strengthen the French position in North Africa should have priority.
11.
If it is evident that the will to resist has disappeared, they should be urged to destroy all possible war material and they should be told that we are ready to accept such technicians and specialist personnel as they are unable to evacuate to North Africa.
French Air Resources,
12. As much as possible of the French Air Force should be evacuated to bases in the United Kingdom or in North Africa as proves most practicable.
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