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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS DRITANNIC 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.

172

SECRET.

C.0.S. (40)

474 (J.P.)

(Also Paper No. J.P.(40), 257)

20th June.1940.

COPY NO.

み

WAR CABINET,

CHIETS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

ATLANTIC ISLAND PROJECTS.

Report by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee.

and

At their meeting on the 17th June the Chiefs of

Western Staff considered Paper No. C.0.S. (40) 465 (J.P.) Mediterranean and Atlantic Island Projects instructed us to re-examine the question of occupying the Canary Islands, and in particular to:-

2.

(1)

consider the forces required for the capture

of the Islands in view of the reported strength of the defences;

(ii) consider what defences are required to

provide a reasonable degree of security for the Islands for use as a refuelling base and for occasional visits of the fleet;

(iii) in view of the limited forces available, make

recommendations as to the priority of the projects for the occupation of the various Atlantic Islands.

The Inter-Service Planning Staff have re-examined items (i) and (ii) above. Their report is attached at Annex I. From this it will be seen that the forces required are:-

(a) For the capture of the Canaries.

Army.

*

One infantry division with a reduced scale of artillery but including 3.75.

One Light A.A. Battery.

At least one heavy A.A. Battery.

C.0.5.(40) 184th Mtg. Minute 1.

-1-

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474

(J.P.)

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