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protect them through a defile and then go on to fresh positions. If the Division they are working with crosses a medium bridge or difficult country, the A.A. guns must go too. In fact their mobility must be as great, if not greater, than the mobility of the troops they are protecting. The 3" gun possesses this degree of mobility; the 3.7" gun does not.

Conclusion.

14.

A proportion of 3.7" guns is essential in the forward areas to deal with high-flying aircraft such as photographic and strategical reconnaissance machines.

15.

The majority of the A. A. gun targets in the forward areas will be compelled to fly well below the ceiling of the 3" gun to carry out their work.

16.

A proportion of A.A. guns with forward troops must have a high degree of tactical mobility in order to be able to go wherever the troops go and to spend a minimum of time out of action. The 3" gun is the only Heavy A.A. gun which possesses the necessary degree of mobility.

17.

I must therefore ask the Committee to support the Commander-in-Chief's contention, which he still maintains, that not more than one third of the heavy anti-aircraft guns in Corps Areas should be 3.7", the remainder being 3".

18.

193

Finally, I would point out that the arguments in favour of the 3" gun in the forward areas of the B.E.F. are not applicable to A.D.G.B. In A.D.G.B. guns are required to defend static objectives, in country well provided with roads, and out of range of enemy artillery. The situation is comparable to the Bases and Lines of Communication of the B.E.F. For such areas, the Commander-in-Chief, B.E.F., holds the same view as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Fighter Command, that 3" guns are less suitable than 3.7" guns. The present allocation of 3" guis in France, particularly with the A.A.S.F., is a temporary arrangement. As soon as the supply of 3.7" guns permits, 3" guns will be withdrawn from rear areas to meet the increasing demands of the forward areas.

The War Office.

29th February, 1940.

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