CAB80-25 — Page 472

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394

NEW PRO UCTION

Production of guns for merchant ships is due to start in July, but may be delayed,

5.

6.

Production of mobile Army guns may enable older field guns to replace some of the Naval 4" guns starting in May. The older fiel guns are, however, inadequate for the defence of ports at which 4.7" and 4" guns are at present mounted.

DEDUCTIONS

Existing stock of guns for merchant ships will be exhausted by about the end of March,

8. To enable the fitting of guns to be continued at the minimum rate of 15 per week, it will be necessary to withdraw practically all the 4.7" and 4" guns on loan to the Army by late Summer.

CONCLUSIONS

7.

(a)

Owing to many uncertain circumstances the situation will be reviewed again at the beginning of March

4.7" or 4" guns should be returned by the middle of March

(6) 15

(c) If Merchant ships are armed at the minimum

rate required by the Admiralty, the rate of return after that will be 15 or week.

(a)

Subject to the situation and the review to be undertaken under (a) above practically all the 4.7" and 4" guns on loan will have to be returned by the late summer.

Great George Street, S.V.1.

11th February, 1941.

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