CAB80-20 — Page 140

Page 140

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNME

SECRET.

c.o.s.(40) 817.

10TH OCTOBER, 1940.

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOOK AND KEY.

!..L.

It is requent that spec.i. frate

124

ensure the secrecy of this accument.

COPY NO

NO_f

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

AIR REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST.

Note by the Secretary.

The following minute dated 9th October by the Prime Minister, together with the relevant correspondence, is circulated for consideration by the Chiefs of Staff at their meeting to-day 10TH CCCBER 1940.

Dichmond Terrace, S,W, Xə

10th October, 1940.

(Signed) L.C. HOLLIS.

ENCLOSURE.

Secretary of State for War.

+

The Chiefs of Staff should consider the matter tomorrow and make a recommendation to the Cabinet who must decide between

You seem to the rival claims of Home Defence and Middle East.

You be rather optimistic about production and expansion here. had better prepare a paper which should be printed and circulated for Cabinet on Friday. Anyone can see that aircraft are needed in the Middle East. What is not so easy is whether they can be spared here. Remember that we are still vastly inferior in numbers, both of fighters and bombers, to the German Air Forces, that heavy losses have been sustained by our air production. The Chief of the Air Staff and Secretary of State must be asked for a precise recommendation.

and

See Annex I.

EKS

Page 140

Page 140

Page 140

817

Page 140Page 141