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this matter and, in their view, steps should be taken as a matter of first urgency to bring the defences of Malta up to the scale mentioned above (or a scale to be agreed on) as soon as is in any way possible and that thereafter we should aim at making Malta our main fleet base once more.
10.
In the meantime the Admiralty propose to re-establish light forces (cruisers and destroyers) at Malta as soon as possible, and to operate from there against the Italy-Libya routes. These light forces will no doubt be subject to the risk of meeting superior Italian forces but this risk will be greatly reduced if there is adequate air reconnaissance.
11.
The light forces at Malta will be powerless to carry out their duty unless adequate air reconnaissance is available. The Admiralty consequently consider that immediate steps should be taken to fly such reconnaissance foroes to Malta and to commence all round air reconnaissance from that base without delay.
Richmond Terrace, S.W. 1.,
8th October, 1940.
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