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TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY

It is reques

by mivat have ag- Lalakenta

i

ensure the secrecy of uns document.

а

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

This dont was considered at Co..(41) 54 Meeting.

SECRET. C.0.S.(41) 84.

10TH FEBRUARY, 1941.

COPY NO.

31

388

•

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

AIR DEFENCE OF INDIA.

Copy of a telegram dated 9th February, 1941, from

the Viceroy of India to the Secretary of State for India.

IMMEDIATE.

245 S.

Personal.

Most Secret. Your personal and most secret telegram of 8th February, No. 1383. I have

We fully realise your discussed with Commander-in-Chief. difficulties, and are most anxious to help, even at some

We are accordingly arranging despatch risk to ourselves.

We hope first of 1 bomber and 1 bomber/fighter squadron. squadron and possibly second, will leave in 2 (? or) 3 days time, but second squadron for various technical reasons, may be unable to start for 8 or 7 days after the first. I must, however, make it clear beyond question, that immediate effect of despatch of these squadrons will

It is true be to deprive India of any effective means of counter- attack against enemy warships attacking ports. that these bomber aircraft could not prevent bombardment,

Otherwise our but they might hamper and curtail it. defensive arrangements are not seriously affected, but replacement of these squadrons by others of equivalent value, is urgently desirable in view of possible future eventualities.

2.

As you will appreciate, I have to keep the closest

You watch on reactions here to any attack, however immediately unimportant militarily, from the political angle. know how I have pressed for months past for strengthening of our air defences,

(a) by supply of aircraft,

(b) by provision of anti-aircraft equipment,

(c) by permission to develop aircraft manufacture here, and to obtain essential parts either from home or from the United States of America.

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