CAB80-20 — Page 182

Page 182

Page 182

156

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT ) . TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

SECRET.

C.0.S.(40) 822.

It is requested that special care may be taken to

ensure the secrecy of this document.

COPY NO.2

11TH OCTOBER, 1940.

Page 182

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

A. A. DEFENCE OF FREETOWN.

Memorandum by the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

The annex to this paper is a signal received from Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic. The Admiralty endorse his views on the desirability of increasing the A.A. defence of Freetown.

20

It will be recalled that at the Meeting of the Chiefs of Staff Committee held on 3rd September, 1940, it was decided* that owing to the overriding requirements of A. A. equipments in the United Kingdom, Malta and the Middle East, no regular allocation could be made to West Africa during the next six months.

30

It is proposed that this decision should now be reconsidered in the light of the circumstances set forth in the annex. The Admiralty would recommend that arrangements should be made as soon as possible to build up the gun defences of Freetown to a minimum strength of 16 heavy and 24 light A.A., and that consideration should also be given to building up on a more gradual scale the 16 heavy and 12 light A.A. which were approved on C.0.S. (40) 630 as an appropriate defence for Takoradi.

40

With reference to the pro osals in the last sentence in Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic's message it is- proposed that the Air Ministry should be invited to appreciate the desirability of the provision of a fighter squadron at an early date and the necessity and function of the bomber aircraft which are mentioned.

822

(Signed) T.S.V. PHILJ IPS.

* C.0.5.(40) 293rd Meeting, Minute 2(b), conclusion (a).

Annex.

Admiralty, S.7.1.

10TH OCTOBER, 1940.

Page 182

Page 182