CAB80-13 — Page 227

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

SECRET.

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY. It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

269).

C.0.S. (40) 479 (J.P.) (Also Paper No. J.P. 14

22nd JUNE, 1940.

27

COPY NO.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITIÉE.

211

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PLANS TO MEET A GERMAN INVASION OF EIRE.

Note by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee submitting a draft Directive for the Chiefs of Staff.

On the 21st June the Chiefs of Staff instructed us to report as a matter of urgency what action we should take in the event of German landings in Ireland with a view to:-

2.

(a) The necessity for preventing the Germans

establishing themselves in Ireland.

(b) Securing our own strategical requirements

(e.g. a base for naval operations).

We have thought that these Terms of Reference ca best be fulfilled by giving a Directive to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, who is being appointed to. command all the British land forces which would operate in Eiro.

3.

We invite particular attention to the implications of paragraph 18 in which it is proposed that Sir John Maffey in Dublin should communicate direct tr the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the request from the Government of Eire for assistance, as soon as he receives it, This will place upon Sir John Maffey the responsibility of making certain that the information on which he is acting is authentic and should obviate any delay in reference to this country.

A

The Inter-Service Planning Staffs have submitted their Report on the question of the various ports at which the Division, earmarked for Eire might be landed (vide paragraph 15). We are examining this Report and will submit the results as spot as possible.

#

+

(Signed)

I.S.O. PLAYFAIR. J.C. SLESSOR.

W.G. ANDREWES.

c.o.s. (40) 189th Meeting, Minute 3. D.O. (40) 18th Meeting, Minute 2.

479

(J.P.

Cabinet War Room.

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