CAB80-20 — Page 145

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

TO

SECRET.

en

C.0.S.(40)818.

DER LOCK AND KEY.

818

C.L.

COPY NO.

8TH OCTOBER, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

PLANS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF GAS FROM THE AIR IN RETALIATION FOR ITS USE AGAINST US BY THE ENEMY.

Note by the Air Staff.

The Chiefs of Staff at their 336th Meeting held on the 4th October, 1940, recorded the following conclusion:-

2.

invited the Air Ministry to prepare plans ready to lay before the War Cabinet, for instant retaliation in the event of the Germans using gas against this country

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In a minute dated 28th September, 1940, annexed to C.0.S.(40)790 dated 2nd October, 1940, dealing with chemical warfare, the Prime Minister gave the following direction: -

3.

The possibility of our having to retaliate on the German civil population must be studied and on the largest scale possible. We should never begin, but we must be able to reply

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There are two alternative conditions under which gas may be used by the enemy against the civil population, thus inviting retaliatory action. One where it is employed in connection with the invasion of this country. The other where it is used simply as part of the plan to demoralise our civil population.

4.

The Air Staff had already given considerable thought to the employment of gas from the air in the event of an invasion of this country. In their examination they have accepted that part of the enemy's invasion plan may well be to use gas against the civil population. The conclusion reached by the Air Staff is, however, that under these conditions the employment of gas by ourselves, even in retaliation, must have regard primarily to the military situation and that the most suitable targets for the purpose would be:

The troops on landing beaches and disembarking. Aircraft deplaning points,

Enemy ports and docks supporting the expedition. Enemy aerodromes used for emplaning airborne troops.

G

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