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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE FROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).
TO BE KET UNDER LOCK & KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
SECRET.
C.O.S.(41) 9 (Draft).
2ND JANUARY, 1941.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
21
COPY NO.
AIR BASES IN NORTHERN GREECE.
Draft Report.
We have considered Athens telegrams Nos. 1456 and 1457 in consultation with representatives of the Foreign Office. Our views are as follows.
The Operational Aspect.
2.
It will take from four to seven days to provide the necessary ground staff and facilities for operating a. bomber squadron from the aerodrome at Salonika, Once the base has been established, the number of squadrons operating can be quickly increased.
3.
Within this time the Germans could not develop a heavy scale of air attack on the Salonika aerodrome. They would, in any case, have to fly over Bulgaria.
4.
Salonika has advantages over other Greek aerodromes, at present available, for attacking Italy in Albania and for operations against the Roumanian oilfields.
5..
An air base at Lemnos and/or Mitylene would be well placed for attacking the Roumanian oilfields, but maintenance by sea would be liable to interruption from the Dodecanese, while these islands still remain in Italian hands.
The Greek Attitude.
6.
By using Salonika we can bring an increased scale of attack against the Italians in Albania, and this is to the benefit of the Greeks.
7.
In telegram 1456 General Metaxas asks to be assured that His Majesty's Government, in pressing for an air base in Salonika, are prepared to risk an immediate German attack. He evidently looks on the proposal with misgiving.
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