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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.

a

36

SECRET.

C.0.S.(40) 457.

13TH JUNE, 1940.

COPY NO

34

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

INVASION: EVACUATION OF SOUTH COAST TOWNS.

Memorandum by the Chief of the Operational

Staff Ministry of Home Security,

The situation now developing in France makes it appear that, regarded from the point of distance alone, the probability or an invasion of our south coast is going to be as great as that of our north eastern coast in a very short time.

As you are aware, certain plans are being made for an emergency evacuation from the coastal towns in East Anglia and Kent in view of the invasion threat.

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3. Further, a number of movements of children in large quantities are either in progress or in anticipation from and to various parts of the country, and the consequence is that the reception areas in all parts of the country are rapidly being exhausted. The threat of invasion of the south coast gives us new problems of evacuation, notably I think in connection with Portsmouth and Southampton. Portsmouth has,

for example, already an over-loaded population, very bad egress and an insufficient water supply, and all our south coast towns are very populous, and, I think, as liable to panic as any part of the population in this country.

I should be very glad to have the guidance of the Chiefs of Staff.

40

Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.

(Signed) HUGH ELLES.

457

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