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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC 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.
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MOST SECRET,
C.O.S.(40) 492.
25TH JUNE, 1940.
WAR CABINET,
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
PLANS TO MEET A GERMAN INVASION.
COPY NO.
34
Directive to General Officer Commanding-in-Chief British
Forces operating in Ireland.
1.
You are appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief
of all British Troops operating in Ireland.
20
3
The War Cabinet have decided:·
(a) That no steps should be taken to occupy
ports in Eire in advance of an aggression by Germany.
(b) That, in the event of aggression on Eire
by Germany, we should go to the assistance of the Government of Eire with all forces which could be spared.
Not
The security of the Belfast area must always be maintained as the basis of our strategy in Ireland. only is it essential to deny to the enemy the port and aerodrome facilities which exist in this area, but the industros located there are of great importance to the war effort of the Empire, and the port of Belfast affords base facilities for landing forces far superior to those available in any other port in Ireland,
4.
If required to operate in Eire your primary object, in conjunction with forces, will be the rapid destruction of
such enemy forces as may establish themselves in that count
5.
It is important that British garrisons should be established, as soon as circumstances permit without prejudice to achieving the primary object, at the following places so that these can be used by British forces:-
60
(a) Shannon Estury, including the seaplane
base at Foynes and the military
aerodrome at Rineanna.
(b) Queenstown and Lough Swilly,
It is of the utmost importance that the forces under your command should be ready to take immediate action against the enemy, whether in Northern Ireland or Eire, as soon as information is received of a German invasion,
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