CAB80-13 — Page 330

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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.

307

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SECRET.

c.o.s. (40) 495.

27TH JUNE, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

HOME DEFENCE.

Memorandum.

COPY NO.

37

+

At the Meeting of the Chiefs of Staff on the 25th June the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, explained to us the general outline plan for the defence of this country against invasion.

2.

As we interpret it, the Commander-in-Chief's

exposition of the plan was as follows.

3.

There were three main elements in the defence

(i) A "crust" on the coast with local reserves to

move and fight the enemy on the beach wherever he may attempt a landing.

(ii)

A line of anti-tank obstacles running down the centre of England to the Blackwall Tunnel, thence to Maidstone and southward to the

sea.

(iii) Mobile reserves in rear of this anti-tank line

whose role is to strike at the enemy either on the beach or wherever he may have penetrated.

We have now had an opportunity of considering the above outline plan in the light of a more detailed apprecia- tion by the Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces, setting out the G.H.Q. policy for Home Defence (G.H.Q. Operation Instruction No. 3). There are certain general points which we should like to discuss further with the Commander-in-Chief.

་

495

C.0.S. (40) 193rd Conclusions, Minute 2.

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