CAB80-32 — Page 357

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289

1700/19.

ANNEX II.

Copy of a telegram from Middle East addressed

Troopers repeated Admiralty.

At recent conference with C.-in-C. Mediterranean it was agreed desirable that M. N. B. D. O. should be brought up to strength. Request arrangements made for 280 (280) AA. and 220 (220) S/L total 500 (500) personnel to be included in December convoy. Further draft of 600 (600) in January followed by drafts of 350 (350) in successive convoys to complete. Details with M.E. L. O. now on route to United Kingdom Admiralty pass to A.G.R,M,

943.

ANNEX III.

Copy of a telegram dated 22nd December, 1941

from C.-in-C. Mediterranean to the Admiralty.

Repeated G.H.Q. Middle East.

1600B/22.

After departure of Anti-Airc: aft Brigade Group referred to in your 1108A 13th following units of 1st Royal Marines Group will remain in Egypt:··

Unit.

Officers.

Other Ranks.

H. Q.9

32 Short M (CS) O and V Depts. 4

93

11th S L Regiment

32

537

11th Royal Marines

Battalion

24

418

Survey and Meteorological

Section

4

26

Signals Company

8

147

Workshop Company

Nil

36

Transport Company

5

Suggest other details 27,193

(ii) Is it policy to reform this Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation. This can only be done by (?relieving) forces ordered to Ceylon as details remaining have insufficient experience to form basis of new organisation.

(iii) If it is not intended to reform it is particularly desired to retain 11 R. M. Battalions suitably organised with 20 per cent reinforcements and personnel for a small base depot and necessary transport. This force would be used to provide (?relief of) raiding forces. The advantage of employing these R. Marines are that they (?would have) (?a) nucleus of men with sea experience who could embark at very short notice to carry out raids as opportunity offers without calling on Army,

(iv)

It is further requested in order to release non- commissioned officers and R. Marines trained in sea service now being employed in shore establishments approximately 200 non specialist ranks of Mobile Naval Base Defence Organisation should be retained on Station, This would enable immediate reliefs to be provided for ranks now on home service roster in seagoing ship.

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