CAB80-13 — Page 333

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ANNEX

PLAN OF DEFENCE.

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13. The general plan of defence is a combination of mobile columns and static defence by means of strong points and "stops". As static defence only provides limited protection of the most vulnerable points, it must be supple- mented by the action of mobile columns. However mobile such columns may be they cannot be expected to operate immediately over the whole area in which it is possible for the enemy to attempt invasion by sea or air. It is, therefore, necessary to adopt measures for confining his action until such time as mobile columns can arrive to deal with him. This will be done by means of "stops" and strong points prepared for all round defence at aerodromes which are necessary to prevent the enemy obtaining air superiority, at the rain centres of communication, and distributed in depth over a wide area covering London and the centres of production and supply. This sytem of "stops" and astrong points will prevent the enemy from running riot and touring the guts out of the country as has happened in France and Belgium.

14. Coastal Area. This should be regarded as an outpost zone, to give warning of, to delay and break up the initial attack. Attempts to approach the Ports and Beaches in transports, and the disembarkation therefrom, will be ham- pered by the Fixed Defences, but these defences will require to be supplemented by other defence weapons, such as lighter artillery, smal. arms, mines etc. for their local protection.

Since our resources will not permit the occupation of defensive positions to cover all possible landing beaches with fire, the defence of the latter will be c nfined to those which lend themselves to a landing in force with A.F.V's, particularly those which give access to important ports, or objectives inland.

These beach defences will be reinforced by strong points in rear, designed primarily to hold up enemy A.F.V.'s, and giving facilities for all round defence. Similarly, ports will be protected by all round defence.

The principle must be to obtain early information

and to hold mobile Reserves ready to move to the threatened points and to attack the enemy.

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