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4.
On the other hand he asked, entirely on his own initiative, that we should send an officer to reconnoitre (?Lemnos). A preliminary survey has already been carried out by the Air Attaché (see his telegram to Air Ministry 0.28 5th December but Air Officer Commanding is now arranging for a detailed reconnaissance, by a special party from the Middle East now in Greece, of both Lemnos and Mitylene, the President of the Council having also agreed to the inclusion of the latter island.
5.
The President of the Council is of the opinion that we should do nothing to provoke Germany until we have dealt with Italy and can be surer of Turkey and Yugoslavia than we are now. His idea is that we should then strike at the on wells in Roumania which will induce a German offensive through Yugoslavia who will then certainly resist.
6.
To establish an air base at Salonika now evidently seems to him an unwise risk, and he will not agree to it until he knows that His Majesty's Government have considered it in all its bearings. May I have early intimation of your views? In the meantime with the President of the Council's approval, Air Officer Commanding has sent an officer to Salonika to make preliminary reconnaissance. Reconnaissance of the other Northern aerodromes would, of course, be greatly facilitated if it is decided to take the risk of establishing an air base at Salonika.
Please see my immediately following telegram.
Repeated to Cairo No. 168 for Air Officer Commander-
in-Chief.
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