CAB80-13 — Page 133

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To:-

1.

DRAFT DIRECTIVE.

Lieut.-General A.G.B. Bourne, C.B., D.S.O., M.V.O.,

Royal Marines.

You are appointed Commander of Raiding Operations on coasts in enemy occupation and Adviser to the Chiefs of Staff on combined operations.

Raiding Operations.

2.

The objects of raiding operations will be to mystify the enemy and cause him to disperse his forces, and to create material damage, particularly on the coastline from Northern Norway to the western limit of German- occupied France.

3.

We propose to give you, within the limits of the forces and equipment available, complete discretion in the choice of objectives and the scale of operation under- taken. The Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee will be able to help you in the choice of suitable objectives.

4.

Six independent companies and a School of Training in Irregular Operations have already been raised by the War Office. These and the irregular commandos raised will come under your operational command and any

now being administrative suggestions you may wish to make, e.g., for the organisation of units, their location in the United Kingdom etc., will be met as far as they can be.

In addition the War Office have taken preliminary steps to raise parachutist volunteers of whom a number will be placed under your command. When raised, they will be trained by the Air Ministry and the War Office according to your requirements and advice.

5.

Should you want further independent units, over and above those already raised, you should discuss your requirements with Service Department and advise us accordingly.

6.

Certain raids by the independent companies have already been planned by the General Staff in the War Office. You should make yourself acquainted with such projects at once and take over control of any planned raids when you deem it advisable.

7.

Irregular actions of various types are undertaken from time to time by the Service Intelligence Departments. There must therefore be close touch between your staff and these Departments, in order that your several activities shall not interfere with each other and that, on occasions co-operation may be possible.

8.

Brigadier J.F. Evetts, C.B., C.B.E., M.C., has been selected to direct Raiding Operations under your command. He is being brought home from India, where he is now serving, by air.

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