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Recommendation.

14.

(a) An Officer of suitable standing should be

appointed immediately General-officer Commanding,West Africa. Lt. General G. J. Giffard C.B., D.S.O., has been selected by the War Office for this purpose. A draft directive to Lt, -General Giffard is attached.

(b) Lieut.-General Giffard should be provided with a

aircraft for the use of himself and his staff in order that he may tour his command.

(c) Pending arrival of General Giffard, the

Commander-in-Chief. South Atlantic should have full power to treat directly with the French Authorities in West Africa on military and air as well as naval matters.

(a) Lieut.-General Giffard should prepare an

appreciation of the situation in West Africa as soon as possible including plans for defence and requirements of additional forces including air forces.

(e) The control of Colonial forces in West Africa should be taken over by the War Office from the Colonial Office, as was done in East Africa.

(f) 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.

(g) The Colonial Office and War Office should

earmark officers who have had previous

experience in West Africa and these officers should be despatched forthwith.

(h) In anticipation of approval, the attached directive has

been cabled by the Colonial Office to the Governors in West Africa to pass to General Giffard and to the Commander-in-Chief,

South Atlantic.

(i) The gist of General Giffard's instructions

have been sent to Group Captain Smyth- Pigott by the Air Ministry.

(Signed) C.S. DANIEL.

I.S.O. PLAYFAIR.

Cabinet War Room.

it

J.C. SLESSOR,

-4-

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