CAB80-20 — Page 61

Page 61

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).

UK AND KEY,

1 18 Pequest

thu. spooral d67 may 26 taken to ensure the secrecy of this document

SECRET.

C.0.S.(40)803(J.I.C.).

(Also J.I.C.(40)304).

WAR CABINET.

CHTES OF STAFF SUB-COMMITTEE.

се

47

26

COPY NO.

1.

ANTI-INVASION MEASURES.

PREPARATIONS FOR A FEINT INVASION.

Renart by the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee.

i

The Chiefs of Staff at their Meeting on the 21st September, 1940, had under consideration a suggestion that it might be desirable to collect a number of barges and other vessels in a port in Scotland, which would give the appearance of preparations for an invasion of Norway.

2.

The matter was referred in the first instance to the Inter-Services Security Board, whose function it is to consider projects aimed at misleading the enemy. Report of this Board is attached as an Annex.

3

The

The Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee concur in the Conclusions of the Inter-Services Security Board that, in view of the impracticability of an invasion of Norway at the present season of the year and of our limited resources available for such en operation, known to the German High Command, they would be unlikely to be decieved by such dummy preparations.

4.

It is possible that the Germans might be deceived by preparations for a large scale raid on Norway.

Such pre- parations would, however, in order to be convincing, need to be carried almost to the point of sailing, and it is not considered that the desired end would justify the effort involved.

5.

Further, the essence of such plans is that they should leak out. The Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee feel that, from the point of view of Home Morale, it would be un- fortunate if, in view of the abortive preperations of the Finnish Expeditionary Force, the former Norwegian operations and of the more recent operation at Dakar, the impression was given that preparations had been made for another expedition which had to be abandoned.

(Signed) V. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK.

18

J.H. GODFREY.

71

11

F.G. BEAUMONT-NESBITT. A.R. BOYLE.

Richmond Terrace, S.W.1.,

6TH OCTOBER, 1940.

--1-

*c.0.S. 319th Meeting, Minute 4.

Page 61

803 (J.I.C.)

Page 61

Page 61