CAB80-8 — Page 216

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

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

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SECRET.

C.0.S.(40) 248.

183

COPY NO.

VAR C DIET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

REPLACEMENT OF 3" ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS NOW WITH THE B.E.F. BY 3.7" ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS FROM A.D.G.3.

Memorandum by Chief of Imperial General staff.

The Military Co-ordination Committee at their Meeting on 8th February, 1940, had before them a report by the Deputy Chiefs of staff on the above subject. (Paper No. M.C.(40) 39).

It was agreed:-

"To instruct the secretary to bring to the notice

of the Chiefs of otaff Committee the discussion which had taken place and to invite them to examine the matter afresh after consultation with the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force."

This question was further discussed by the Chiefs of Staff at their Meeting on 12th February, 1940 when the secretary was instructed to draft a memorandum for the approval of the Chiefs of Staff. The drafting of this liemorandum was held up pending receipt of a reply from the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force to an enquiry which had been addressed to him. This reply has now been received and after consultation I have agreed with the Secretary that I should submit a full memorandum on the subject.

Historical.

2.

The 3" Anti-Aircraft gun was introduced during the war of 1914-18 as a more powerful weapon than the 13 pdr. 9 cwt. equipment. At that time accurate instruments had not been developed and for the most part height and deflection had to be estimated. As might have been expected, the results of the shooting were relatively poor:

★ M.C.(40) 9th Meeting, Minute 3:

* C.0.b. (40) 28th Meeting, Minute 4.

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