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weak.
Our own position in Iraq at the moment is
We have no garrison there with which to show the Iraqis that, despite what they hear from Axis propaganda, Britain is still a power with which to reckon nor are any forces available in the immediate future for despatch to Iraq. We have also failed to meet Iraq's demands for large quantities of military equipment which we so badly need ourselves. In fact, British prestige in Iraq is low while that of the Axis powers is correspondingly high.
5.
I suggest that the Chiefs of Staff should bring the gravity of the situation in Iraq to the notice of the Prime Minister.
6.
I asked Teneral Wavell for his views which he has given in the telegram attached as an Annex. It will be noted that the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Middle East, agrees with these.
In paragraphs 4
de
6 the two Commanders-in-Chief
suggest a line of action, which, if the Chiefs of Staff agree, might be embodied in our report to the Prime Minister.
Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.
9TH OCTOBER, 1940.
+3
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