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Methods of implementing this policy

9.

An Officer of suitable standing should be sent out at once to forestall the Germans and Italians in obtaining control of the French and Belgian Colonial Forces in West Africa should French resistance collapse, This Officer will have to be provided with an adequate Staff, with large amounts of money, and with aircraft for inter-communication. He should have wide powers of discretion in carrying out the policy we have puggested.

10. Our West African dependencies should nominate administrative officers and hold them ready to assist the French, or to take over control if French authority collapses.

The Colonial Office and War Office should earmark Officers, who have had previous experience in "est Africa and these Officers should be despatched forthwith,

11. If our efforts to encourage French resistance in Senegal fail, plans should be made to destroy the air facilities in that area. Plans are also necessary to destroy the petrol stocks on the air routes leading to North Africa,

Proposals for reinforcements and raising of Forces in West Africa,

12. It may be necessary, as a long term policy, to raise and equip further Colonial forces from the manpower available in British "ost African Colonies, This measure will

take time to implement since the African soldier requires at least nine months training before he is fully efficient, and it will be a considerable time before equipment can be made available. Plans, showever, should be prepared

for such expansion.

Forces in British West Africa are at prosent under the control of the Colonial Office. In view of the appointment of a General Officer Commanding to be responsible for the defence of these Colonies, it is considered that the War Office should take over the control of these forces on the same lines as was done in East Africa.

The existing forces are at present insufficient to meet the increased threat to the Colonies and the General Officer Commanding should be instructed to appreciated the

expansion and reinforcements he requires.

13. We cannot at present provide any air forces for West Africa.

If the French air forces cease to function, it will, however, be of the utmost importance to provide air reconnaissance to covor o Naval focal area and adjacent enemy territory,

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