CAB80-13 — Page 139

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

124

TO BE KEPT UP

OCK AND KEY.

SECRET.

C.O.S.(40) 468 (J.P.)

Also Paper No. J.P.(40) 246).

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

15TH JUNE, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

27

COPY NO.

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CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

ICELAND

STRENGTH OF GARRISON.

Report by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee.

On the 11th June the Chief of Naval Staff drew attention (Paper No. C.0.S. (40) 450) to the increased threat to Iceland in present circumstances, and proposed that the garrison required should be re-examined. We have requested the views of the Garrison Commander and hope to submit a report in about two days' time.

2.

Meanwhile we would point out that in their review (Paper No. C.0.S.(40) 414) of the 31st May the Chiefs of Staff agreed that reinforcements of

2 rifle battalions

1 machine gun battalion

6 flying boats

1 battery A.A. guns (heavy) coast defences

were required in addition to Brigadier Lammie's brigade of 3 battalions already in Iceland. They suggested, and H.M. Government agreed, that the Canadian Government should be asked to undertake the whole commitment and also to provide a unit of Hudson aircraft. The Canadian Government has agreed to despatch one brigade, of which one battalion arrives on 16th June; but no reply has yet been received about the reinforcements shown above,

As a result the present garrison in Iceland is not only still below the numbers previously estimated to be required to deal with raids but is wholly deficient in aircraft.

3

-

This is a situation which cannot be viewed with equanimity. If a German force got a grip on Iceland, our control of the Faroes Iceland Greenland line would be jeopardised. We regard the situation so seriously that we consider that immediate rein orcements to the scale previously suggested must be sent at once from this country.

4.

In making the recommendations below we would emphasise that they are interim measures only and that we do not wish in any way to prejudge the report which we are going to submit.

468 (J.P.)

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