CAB80-25 — Page 341

Page 341

III.

ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS.

The position as to the anti-aircraft guns, is as

10. follows:

Item

Greek Demand,

Supplied or being shipped.

Heavy A. A. Guns

44

3.7" A. A. guns

16

Light A.A. Guns

(pack)

120

NIL

Light A.A. guns

(mechanised)

120

40 mm. Bofors

24

A. A. Guns, 40 mm,

20

A.A. Guns, 20 mm.

60

NIL

285

To these, however, must be added the following weapons manned by British personnel:-

Greece Heavy A. A. guns 8 Crete Heavy A. A. guns 8

Light A. A. guns 12 Light A.A. guns 12

No more A.A. guns have been allotted by the Chiefs of Staff Committee to Greece.

#

· 11.

}

The victories in North Africa, the capture of ports such as Sollum, Bardia and Tobruk, combined with the arrival of German aircraft in the Mediterranean, are held to have increased the requirements of the Middle East for these weapons. The advent of German aircraft, however, has also increased the need of the Greeks, especially for the protection of the ammunition factory, which is almost as important to us as it is to Greece,

12.

The principle proposed for field and mountain gun ammunition suggested in paragraphs 8 and 9, isaalready in operation for A. A. guns, since British weapons and British controlled sources of supply alone are available. Unfortunately, it is not a good precedent for the Greeks.

13.

IV. ANTI-TANK WEAPONS.

V. Mar

LA V and padde

One hundred and twenty A/T rifles, with ammunition, have been sent to Greuce from the Ciddle East, and have been used with success. No further anti-tank guns or rifles can, at present, be supplied to Greece, except, perhaps, captured Italian material.

14.

та

MECHANICAL TRANSPORT.

The Greek demand for M.T. vehicles by the end of February is for 1,600 vehicles followed by monthly maintenance requirements on a considerable scale. Towards

this demand:-

300 3 ton lorries)

have been or will be despatched

15 30 cwt. trucks

10 15 cwt. trucks)

in the near future from

the United Kingdom.

Up to 300 Italian lorries are being sent from Egypt.

TOTAL 1,065 out of 1,600 M. T. vehicles.

M

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