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9. It is not possible to state in advance exactly what bomber effort will be allocated from Bomber Command for the operations in Ireland; this must necessarily depend on the general situation at the time and the particular situation in Ireland. The Air Council nevertheless regard the defence of

reland as second only in importance to the defence of England, and you may therefore rest assured that, in the event of invasion, you will receive all the support from Bomber Command that the circumstances permit,

General Reconnaissance,

109 The General Reconnaissance squadrons located in Northern Ireland will be fully employed under Coastal Command on operations in the North Western Approaches. They will not be available for operations in Ireland and will remain under the operational control of Coastal Command,

A.A. Gun Defences.

11.

Anti-air craft defences other than those under the operational control of the G.0.C-in-C., British Forces. will similarly remain under the general operations control of Fighter Command, exercised through A.A.Command.

Administration.

12. In the event of an invasion of Ireland you willcontinue to be responsible for the administration of all Royal Air Force units located in Ireland, It will probably, therefore, be necessary for your Headquarters to remain near Belfast until a later phase in the operations, when it might be more suitable for your Headquarters to be located in the Dublin area, An Organisation Memorandum, showing the exact composi- tion, function and organisation of the ancillary units of your force, will be sent to you in due course,

13. Finally, I am to request that you will provide the

fficer Commanding, No.75 Wing, with instructions covering his responsibilities and role at the present time and in the event of invasion. A copy of these instructions should be forwarded for concurrence by the Air Council,

14. These instructions cancel those issued to you in Air Council letter $,5362/S.6 dated 29th June, 1940. Copies of these instructions have been sent to the War Office, the Admiralty, and to Bomber, Fighter, Coastal and Ballon Command,

I am, etc.

(Signed) A.W. STREET.

Air Commodore C.R. Carr, D.F.C., A.F.C.

Headquarters, Royal Air Force in Northern Ireland,

Fortwillian Park,

Belfast,

7.20

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