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4.

135

I am assured, however, by the Adviser on Combined Operations that this control was, until the new Directive was issued, exercised by the Chiefs of Staff through him, and that all requests for craft to be made available, whether for operations or training, should still be mado through him, This point is obscure at present, but I would welcome the above procedure provided it meets the wishes of the Chiefs of Staff, I and my Army Commanders will continue to apply to the Admiralty and the Commanders-in-Chief respectively for any Naval escorts required.

5.

The direction of the Chiefs of Staff on the point raised in paragraphs 3 and 4 is desired.

Minor Training and Raids.

6.

The present situation is that only four A.D. Ca temporarily released from training, and some R boats, when not on air rescue work, are available on the south and East coasts. Infantry assault Ships (Class II) are only available when not required for other operations, Training and rehearsals of minor operations at establishments controlled by the Adviser on Combined Operations on the South coast are accordingly much restricted.

7.

As regards actual raids, R boats are not considered by the Adviser on Combined Operations as suitable craft for attacking defended localities, while the limited range of A.L.C. without a carrier (Infantry Assault Ship, Class II) prevents their employment against a large part of the frontage which I have a directive to raid.

8.

Ultimately, I should like to see a small combined training establishment in each of Scottish, Northern, Eastern, South Eastern and Southern Commands, It is realised that restrictions on craft will not make this possible for som- time to come, but it is is meantime most desirable that such establishments should be arranged in each of Eastern, South Eastern and Southern Commands.

9.

I consider that the minimum number of craft required in each of these three Commands both for training and raiding is :-

Eastern Command

(Brightlingsea)

Souther Eastern Command

(Northerney)

Southern Command

(Dartmouth and Warsash)

4 A. Le Co

2 flotillas R boats.

8 A. Le Co

2 flotillas R boats,

8 A. Le Co

2 flotillas R boats,

At least one Infantry Assault Ship (Class II) should be stationed in Southern waters for training and operations.

The Adviser on Combined Operations concurs with me that these are the minimum requirements if a reasonable training and raiding programme is to be carried out

Training for Major Operations.

10. The Chiefs of Staff have instructed me (C.0.5. (41)248 (0)) to plan certain operations for the Spring of 1942, in which it is indicated that a considerable number of craft will be made available. Such an operation will, however, not be possible unless the troops earmarked for it can be trained and rehearsed in advance,

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