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Meeting

This docdont was considered at cc. S.(1) 4 = Booting. L 34

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

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOOK & KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

SECRE T.

C.O.S.(41)10.

3RD JANUARY, 1941.

WAR CABINET.

COPY NO.

29

(Arise of Cos. (40) 1070.)

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

1.

DIRECTIVE TO COMMANDER OF OPERATIONS IN THE WESTERN

MEDITERRANEAN.

(Reference: C.O.S.(41) 4th Meeting Minute 3).

Germany may attempt to establish hereself in the Iberian Peninsula and even in N.W. Africa in order to cut our communications with the Western Mediterranean and to extend her attack on our communications in the Atlantic.

2.

You are requested to study our possible courses of action in Spain and N.W. Africa in such an eventuality and +^ prepare plans. For this purpose the Future Operational Planning Section of the Joint Planning Staff will be at your disposal.

3.

The object of our operations would be to maintain control of the Straits of Gibraltar.

4.

You should examine the problem under the alternative hypotheses of:-

(a) a friendly Spain

and

(b) a hostile Spain.

Under hypothesis (a) Spain would probably call for assistance. Such assistance, however, could only be given in so far as it did not prejudice the maintenance of our object as set out in paragraph 3 above.

5.

A preliminary examination of hypothesis (b) has already been made by the Future Operations Planning Section and the results of their work will be available to you2

6.

You should assume that in any advance into Spain Germany will use all available routes whether or not she has occupied the French Mediterranean ports.

7.

You should submit your plans to the Chiefs of Staff in due course.

Great George Street, S.W.1.,

3RD JANUARY, 1941.

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