CAB80-8 — Page 207

Page 207

ANNEX II.

173

SECRET.

65764 Cipher M.0.5.

23/2.

Following for three Commanders-in-Chief from Chief

of Staff.

2.

C-in-C., taken.

3.

Reference telegrams 7289 and 7290 of 18/2 from

Middle East to War Office on which action is being

First consideration is to ascertain whether provision of Tiger and Leopard and French forces as proposed by General Weygand is essential (repeat essential) to ensure security of Turkish front in Thrace. If not what are minimum essential forces of this purpose?

4.

In view of administrative difficulties and

generally of need to retain available reserves for employment as situation develops it is clearly uneconomical to send to Turkey larger forces than are absolutely essential.

5.

Secondly answer is required on the following question. If administrative development is sanctioned but is still incomplete when need for despatch of forces. to Thrace arises, would you be prepared to recommend sharing Turkish bases and line of communication in Thrace?

6.

Your replies to these questions should represent Anglo-Franco-Turkish opinion and should be cabled immediately after forthcoming talks at Ankara.

7.

The minimum forces essential for Thrace having been agreed, vide paragraph 3 above, it will depend on the circumstances obtaining at the time of despatch what forces can actually be provided. It is therefore undesirable to discuss with the Turks variations in forces based on alternative hypotheses of Italy's attitude remaining as at present or being one of dependable neutrality.

8.

The foregoing refers only to land forces, and the Army units required for maintenance of Air Force units. It is recognized that the air forces we could send are at most the minimum required. The question as to whether even these could be sent depends inter alia on aerodrome facilities.

The question of aerodromes will form the subject of a separate telegram.

Pass to A.O.C.-in-C., from Air Ministry.

-2-

Page 207

Page 207

Page 207

Page 207