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X

40)

M.R. (40) 29.7

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ENCLOSURE.

IL A

:

ALLIED MILITARY COMMITTEE.

ALLIED MILITARY POLICY IN THE EVENT OF SPANISH

INTERVENTION ON THE SIDE OF GERMANY IN

CONJUNCTION WITH ITALY.

(Reference: Paper No. M.R. (40) 28 (also Paper

No. C.O.S. (40) 441)).

Minute by the Secretary.

The French Representatives at the meeting of the Allied Military Committee on Wednesday, 12th June, unexpectedly handed across a note containing their commentary upon the preliminary paper on possible Allied military policy in the event of a hostile Spain, which had been handed to them some time back (vide paragraph 4 of the covering report in Paper No. M.R.(40) 28).

These written comments of the French Representatives did not reveal any important differences of opinion on their part with the recommendations put forward by the British Representatives in their final report to the Chiefs of Staff. At the same time the British Representatives

felt it desirable to inform the Chiefs of Staff of one or two points which they made, as follows:-

The references are to the paragraphs in the enclosure

to Paper No. M.R. (40) 28 (also Paper No. C.0.S. (40) 441).

Paragraph 7- Defence of the Pyrenees frontier.

The French Representatives think it is by no means certain that the Spaniards could not attempt a serious offensive especially with the aid of some German and Italian troops transported from Italy by air. They consider that the defence of this frontier should therefore be the primary consideration.

Paragraph 11 The Balearic Islands.

The French Representatives state that the French High Command has never considered action against the Balearics if Spain were hostile.

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