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7. Malta. An allocation of 8 heavy anti-aircraft guns will bring Malta up to the approved scale of 112 heavy anti-aircraft and 60 light anti-aircraft guns. The Chiefs of Staff at their 20th Meeting asked however for a review of the Malta anti-aircraft defences in view of the increased threat of air attack..
This review has been carried out and Commander-in- Chief, Malta, consulted.
It is agreed that no further increase in heavy anti-aircraft guns is necessary though Commander-in- Chief, Malta, would like the 16 3" guns replaced by 3.7" equipments when possible. With regard to light anti-aircraft, it is agreed that a further 12 light anti- aircraft guns are desirable, 5 for defence of the seaplane base, 5 for a new vital point at present not protected, and two for the landing strip these increases are recommended." A very strong scale of defence for the dockyard is provided by the 32 Bofors deployed in this area. In addition, Commander-in-Chief, Malta, has asked to keep a reserve of 20 light anti-aircraft guns in Malta. In view of the present heavy demands elsewhere, it is suggested that these should not be provided at present.
It is recommended that an allocation of 8 heavy anti-aircraft guns should be made, bringing Malta up to its full total of 112 heavy anti-aircraft guns, and that 12 light anti-aircraft guns be provided for the increased defences now recommended.
The situation with regard to Malta is shown in Appendix C.
8. Iceland. The increased defences for the naval anchorage were considered when discussing the January allocation C.O.S. (41) 5. The detailed allocation was however deferred. It is recommended that the 8 heavy anti-aircraft guns should now be allotted. It will be noted from Appendix B that in view of the extra Bofors coming forward in January it has already been possible to set aside 8 light anti-aircraft guns to meet this commitment.
9. India. It is recommended that the monthly allocation of 4 heavy anti-aircraft and 6 light anti- aircraft guns should be made to India in order that the anti-aircraft school and initial training can start as early as possible.
10. Customers. The normal monthly allocation of 4 heavy anti-aircraft guns has been included for Turkey. As recommended in paragraph 2, the January allocation of 4 has also been made good.
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11 Home Forces.
Due to the extra light anti-aircraft guns coming forward in January, it was possible to issue Home Forces with an additional 12 light anti-aircraft
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