CAB80-8 — Page 257

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Oporto would make a suitable base from which light

forces could watch the northern Spanish harbours for

movement of German submarines and merchantmen,

There are suitable aerodromes in the neighbourhood

of Lisbon from which aircraft, if available, could be

operated for the protection of trade. There are a few

anchorages on the Portuguese coast which could be used as

seaplane bases.

9.

Both the Azores and Cape Verde Islands lie close

to these important main trade routes, and could afford

anchorages for naval forces.

10.

The principal use we might make of the Islands would

be as bases for long range air reconnaissance for the

protection of trade, and the hunting of raiders. They would

also be of value to enable flying boats now building for us

in America to be flown to this country during the winter

months. There are no properly developed air facilities in

the Azores, but there are several anchorages suitable for

flying boat bases which have, in fact, been used in

connection with trans-Atlantic services.

11.

At Sal, in the Cape Verde Islands, the Italians have

recently developed a civil air base which is now in use for

trans-Atlantic services, and which could presumably be used

for reconnaissance by us.

12.

In addition, the British cable station in the

Azores, forming a junction of cables between the United

Kingdom, Halifax, Capetown and Gibraltar, is of great

strategic importance. There is also a British cable

station at Madeira which could be used as an alternative

to the Azores.

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