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289
MOST SECRET.
DESTRUCTION OF FRENCH OIL STOCKS.
1.
A fresh survey of the German oil position undertaken by Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd's Committee, though still incomplete, tends to show that oil supplies are still a serious problem to Germany. There is some reason to believe that oil supplies are going to be a serious problem to the whole of Europe next Winter.
2.
A good deal may turn on the extent to which we can destroy the oil supplies still remaining in France.
3.
A very approximate estimate by the Petroleum Department results in the following figures for French stocks of oil
Tons. 3,600,000
May 1st, 1940
June 24th, 1940.
1,500,000 to 1,800,000.
Some of this is accessible and could be destroyed at this moment if the War Cabinet, having regard to the general situation towards France, could give a decision to that effect.
4.
At Bordeaux a decision is especially urgent. We still have warships and probably a Field Company, R.E., there. In the Gironde there are two important refineries with large stocks:-
Tons,
Pauillac
150,000
Ambes
118,000
Small installations (say)
22,000
Total
290,000
At the end of last week 3 tankers were unloading at the wharves and 7 were lying outside the river waiting to go up whenever a berth was free.
The above supplies are especially important because they include large quantities of lubricating oil. If they are to be destroyed by Naval means action must be taken now before the Germans occupy Bordeaux,
5.
Mediterranean. The principal supplies are as follows:
Tons.
Marseilles and environs 566,000 Cette
Total
100,000
666,000
The Marseilles supplies include 3 refineries and much lubricating oil.
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