(c) crown copyright Catalogue Reference:CAB/65/7/27 Image Reference:0001 THIS DOCUMENT IS T H E PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT Printed for the War Cabinet. May 1940. SECRET. Copy N o . W.M. (40) 132nd Conclusions. TO B E K E P T U N D E R LOCK A N DK E Y . It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document. WAR CONCLUSIONS C A B I N E T 132 ( 4 0 ) . of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10 Downing S.W. 1, on Tuesday, May 21, 1940, at 1 1 - 3 0 A.M. Street, Present: T h e R i g h t H o n . W I N S T O N S. C H U R C H I L L , M . P . , P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the The R i g h t H o n . N E V I L L E CHAMBERLAIN, M . P . , L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council. The Right H o n . VISCOUNT HALIFAX, S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n Affairs. Chair). T h e R i g h t H o n . C. R . A T T L E E , M . P . , L o r d P r i v y Seal. T h e R i g h t Hon. A . GREENWOOD, M . P . , Minister without Portfolio. T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t : The R i g h t H o n . A . V . ALEXANDER, The R i g h t Hon. ANTHONY EDEN, M.P., M . P . , F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y . S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r . The Right H o n . Sir ARCHIBALD The R i g h t H o n . Sir J O H N ANDERSON, S I N C L A I R , B t . , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e State for A i r . H o m e D e p a r t m e n t a n d M i n i s t e r of H o m e Security. T h e R i g h t H o n . V I S C O U N T CALDECOTE, T h e R i g h t H o n . A . D U F F C O O P E R , M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r D o m i n i o n M i n i s t e r of I n f o r m a t i o n . Affairs. The Right H o n . LORD HANKEY, T h e R i g h t H o n . L O R D BEAVERBROOK, Chancellor of t h e D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r M i n i s t e r for A i r c r a f t Production (Item 13). (Items 7 and 11). The Hon. Sir ALEXANDER CADOGAN, P e r m a n e n t U n d e r - S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs. A d m i r a l of t h e Fleet S i r D U D L E Y P O U N D , F i r s t S e a L o r d a n d C h i e f of N a v a l Staff. A i r Chief M a r s h a l Sir CYRIL L . N . N E W A L L , Chief of t h e A i r Staff. General Chief Staff. Sir W. EDMUND IRONSIDE, of t h e I m p e r i a l General Secretariat. Sir EDWARD BRIDGES. M a j o r - G e n e r a l H . L. I S M A Y . Mr. W . D . WILKINSON. Lieutenant-Colonel V . DYKES, R . E . M r . E . P . DONALDSON. M r . G. N . F L E M M I N G . f213201 B WAR CABINET 132 (40). CONTENTS. Minute No. Subject. Page 1 The Western Front and A i r Operations Progress of operations on the Western Front. Air operations over France and Belgium. Air attacks on enemy ships. 2 The Naval Situation 3 Norway ... ... ... Operations at Narvik. 4 The Netherlands Accommodation for the Netherland Government. 204 5 Italy Possible attack on Yugoslavia. 204 Italy Possible intentions. 204 Italy Possible plan for blocking the Suez Canal. 205 U.S.S.R Suggested despatch of a special envoy to Moscow. 205 Spain ... Proposal for economic assistance. 205 9 ... ... ... ... ... 203 ... 203 Netherland East Indies Japanese policy. ... 206 11 D e m o l i t i o n s i n N o r t h e r n F r e n c h p o r t s a n d i n B e l g i u m .... Calais and Boulogne. Ghent and Bruges. 206 12 I n v a s i o n of G r e a t B r i t a i n ... ... ... ... 10 ... ... 201 ... ... ... 206 ... ... ... 208 Possibility of seaborne and airborne attack. 13 Aircraft Production 14 The Netherlands and Belgium Reception of war refugees. ... ... ... 209 The Western Front and Air Operations. 1. The Prime Minister s a i d t h a t the Chief of the I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff, who h a d j u s t r e t u r n e d from F l a n d e r s , would give t h e W a r C a b i n e t his a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e p r e s e n t state of affairs on t h e G e n e r a l I r o n s i d e h a d h a d a n a r r o w escape Progress of the W e s t e r n F r o n t . t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t w h e n h i s hotel at C a l a i s h a d received a d i r e c t h i t operations on from a G e r m a n bomb. the Western T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s a i d t h a t the s i t u a t i o n w a s more f a v o u r a b l e Front. t h a n c e r t a i n of t h e more obvious s y m p t o m s would indicate. T h e (Previous most d a n g e r o u s of these symptoms w a s t h a t a G e r m a n a r m o u r e d Eef erence: W.M. (40) 131st column, w h i c h h a d been r e p o r t e d in s t r e n g t h at A m i e n s , h a d now e n t e r e d Abbeville, a n d held t h a t town. A n o t h e r a r m o u r e d column Conclusions, h a d been seen p a s s i n g F r e v e n t . I t w a s probably m a k i n g for Minute 1.) Boulogne. T w o b a t t a l i o n s of G u a r d s w e r e being sent to Boulogne i n d e s t r o y e r s in o r d e r to hold t h a t t o w n a g a i n s t the G e r m a n column. O u r forces still enjoyed a n o v e r w h e l m i n g s u p e r i o r i t y of n u m b e r s in t h i s t h e a t r e of o p e r a t i o n s . W e m u s t now be r e a d y t o fight h a r d u n d e r o p e n w a r f a r e conditions. T h e G e r m a n s h a d probably left v e r y small forces, if any, b e h i n d to hold the t o w n s t h r o u g h w h i c h t h e y h a d passed. C a m b r a i w a s believed to be p r a c t i c a l l y e m p t y of G e r m a n s . W e h a d held A r r a s , a l t h o u g h G e r m a n a r m o u r e d fighting vehicles were r e p o r t e d on all t h e r o a d s r o u n d t h e town. T w o B r i t i s h divisions w e r e now o p e r a t i n g i n t h i s t h e a t r e to t h e south a n d west of A r r a s ; it w a s h o p e d t h a t a t h i r d division w o u l d j o i n t h e m t h a t day. T h e Chief of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff h a d found G e n e r a l Billotte, w h o w a s i n c o m m a n d of t h e F r e n c h left, in a s t a t e of indecision, b u t h a d g a l v a n i s e d h i m i n t o g i v i n g o r d e r s for a counter­ a t t a c k s o u t h w a r d s from t h e D o u a i - V a l e n c i e n n e s area, in w h i c h he h a d some e i g h t F r e n c h divisions at h i s disposal. T h e r e seemed no reason why the c o u n t e r - a t t a c k should not r e s u l t in r e t a k i n g Cambrai. General Weygand was visiting Flanders that day and w o u l d see b o t h L o r d G o r t a n d G e n e r a l Billotte. The Secretary with Lord Gort. of State for War r e a d an e x c h a n g e of t e l e g r a m s The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, in the course of a. s t a t e m e n t r e p o r t i n g the r e s u l t s of h i s v i s i t to F l a n d e r s , b r o u g h t o u t t h e following p o i n t s :— (i) I n d e c i s i o n h a d r e i g n e d in t h e F r e n c h H i g h C o m m a n d i n t h e n o r t h u n t i l the a r r i v a l of G e n e r a l W e y g a n d a n d himself. G e n e r a l B i l l o t t e w a s e x p r e s s i n g the gloomiest forebodings, b u t w a s d o i n g n o t h i n g . H e h a d failed to c a r r y o u t h i s d u t i e s of c o - o r d i n a t i o n for the last e i g h t days, a n d a p p e a r e d to have no p l a n s . H e ( G e n e r a l I r o n s i d e ) h a d c o m p l a i n e d on t h e telephone to G e n e r a l W e y g a n d , w h o h a d spoken s h a r p l y to G e n e r a l Billotte. (ii) H e believed t h a t t h e r e w a s n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h t h e F r e n c h t r o o p s themselves in F l a n d e r s . The British Expedi­ t i o n a r y Force w e r e in very good h e a r t , a n d ready for t h e fight. T h e y h a d seen p r a c t i c a l l y no fighting so f a r a n d t h e i r t o t a l c a s u a l t i e s i n t h e field were only of t h e order of 500. On one occasion our men h a d dealt very effectively w i t h a low-flying a t t a c k by G e r m a n a i r c r a f t ; they h a d b r o u g h t down n i n e of the enemy w i t h t h e i r B r e n g u n s , a n d the low-flying a t t a c k h a d t h e r e u p o n ceased. On the whole, our own H i g h C o m m a n d w e r e s t a n d i n g u p well to the s i t u a t i o n , a l t h o u g h one or t w o c h a n g e s h a d been m a d e a m o n g t h e corps a n d d i v i s i o n a l commanders. (iii) One of o u r p r i n c i p a l difficulties w a s the s t a t e of o u r lines of c o m m u n i c a t i o n . These w e r e crossed by F r e n c h lines of c o m m u n i c a t i o n . I n a n y event, all t h e r o a d s on b o t h [21320] ' B 2 lines w e r e filled w i t h h u n d r e d s of t h o u s a n d s of refugees from B e l g i u m a n d the n o r t h e r n F r e n c h towns. T h e crowds on t h e r o a d s included some s t r a g g l e r s from t h e D u t c h A r m y . T h e w o r s t f e a t u r e w a s t h e confusion i n t h e towns t h r o u g h w h i c h these r o a d s passed, (iv) T h e first t h i n g to be done, in order to get a g r i p on the s i t u a t i o n south a n d w e s t of A r r a s , w a s to clear t h e t o w n s of refugees, to block e n t r a n c e s to t h e towns a n d to hold t h e m w i t h our troops. Once we h a d occupied in t h i s w a y such n o d a l p o i n t s as Doullens, F r e v e n t , St. Pol, A l b e r t a n d B a p a u m e , we should h a v e gone a long w a y t o w a r d s s e t t l i n g the problem of t h e G e r m a n a r m o u r e d columns w h i c h h a d t a k e n us in t h e r e a r . Some of t h e t o w n s he h a d m e n t i o n e d w e r e not, s t r i c t l y s p e a k i n g , in t h e B . E . F . sector, but t h i s w a s no t i m e for s t a n d i n g on ceremony. (v) T h e n e x t step would be to deal w i t h t h e G e r m a n a r m o u r e d columns themselves. V e r y q u i c k action w o u l d be n e c e s s a r y ; otherwise t h e G e r m a n s would receive con­ siderable reinforcements by p a r a c h u t e a n d by troop­ c a r r y i n g a i r c r a f t . A B r i t i s h force, consisting of both a r m o u r e d fighting vehicles a n d i n f a n t r y would h a v e to be collected a t once. T h e A r m o u r e d Division, w h i c h w a s on the w a y to t h e scene of o p e r a t i o n s , m i g h t f o r m the nucleus of such a force. G e n e r a l E v a n s , its C o m m a n d e r , h a d l a n d e d a t H a v r e w i t h h i s staff, b u t t h e first u n i t s of t h e Division h a d h a d to be d i v e r t e d to C h e r b o u r g , owing to t h e recent a i r a t t a c k on H a v r e . (vi) T h e G e r m a n a r m o u r e d columns p r o b a b l y consisted of m e d i u m t a n k s a n d motorised i n f a n t r y . One of t h e m h a d been observed p a s s i n g a given p o i n t i n a b o u t 25 m i n u t e s , a n d w a s e s t i m a t e d to comprise some 5,000 or 6,000 troops. (vii) T h e r e w e r e a c e r t a i n n u m b e r of t r o o p s in towns on t h e . . lines of communication, such as Abbeville, but considerable forces w e r e needed to hold u p a r m o u r e d columns. Nevertheless, a n t i - t a n k g u n s w e r e b e i n g sent o u t of t h e line to these forces in o r d e r t h a t they m i g h t e s t a b l i s h blocks a t t h e m a i n r o a d j u n c t i o n s , (viii) I n t h e confused fighting t h a t would be going on i t w a s very probable t h a t G e n e r a l Georges would n o t have u p - t o - d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n of t h e e n e m y ' s movements. T h e n o r m a l liaison channels t h r o u g h H e a d q u a r t e r s , B r i t i s h A i r Forces in F r a n c e m i g h t not suffice to call u p a i r s u p p o r t quickly a g a i n s t profitable t a r g e t s for b o m b i n g by o u r a i r forces in t h e A m i e n s - A r r a s a r e a . The Prime Minister expressed t h e g r a t i t u d e of t h e W a r C a b i n e t to t h e Chief of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff for d e a l i n g so p r o m p t l y a n d vigorously w i t h the s i t u a t i o n in F r a n c e . He suggested t h a t t h e Chief of the I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff a n d t h e Chief of the A i r Staff should concert together a r r a n g e m e n t s f o r e n s u r i n g t h a t p r o m p t a n d a d e q u a t e a i r s u p p o r t could be p r o v i d e d to t h e o p e r a t i o n s of o u r forces in t h e A m i e n s - A r r a s a r e a . Air operations The Chief of the Air Staff r e p o r t e d t h a t a force of B l e n h e i m s over France and h a d c a r r i e d o u t a t t a c k s on columns of a r m o u r e d vehicles in t h e Belgium. a r e a A r r a s - C a m b r a i on t h e m o r n i n g of t h e 2 0 t h M a y . V i l l a g e s packed w i t h t r o o p s h a d been bombed a n d several b u r s t s h a d been observed on columns of t r o o p s on t h e r o a d s . I n the a f t e r n o o n 23 a i r c r a f t , heavily escorted by fighters, h a d a t t a c k e d enemy columns in t h e a r e a A r r a s - B a p a u m e . One H u r r i c a n e h a d been lost, b u t one enemy a i r c r a f t h a d been shot down, a n d possibly a n o t h e r as well. V a r i o u s successful a t t a c k s h a d been m a d e a g a i n s t t r a n s p o r t a n d troops. Air attacks on enemy ships. 91 bombers h a d been o p e r a t i n g last n i g h t . E n e m y c o n c e n t r a ­ t i o n s in t h e C a m b r a i - L e C a t e a u - H i r s o n - V e r v i n s - S t . Q u e n t i n a r e a h a d been a t t a c k e d . T h e following places h a d been r e p o r t e d as full of t r o o p s : Valenciennes, F o r e t de M o r m a l , V i s , F o r e t d e Nouvion. N o movement h a d been seen west a n d n o r t h of A u b i g n y . A p e t r o l convoy seemed to have been h i t n e a r Nouvion, since h i g h flames a n d m a n y explosions h a d been seen. A t r a i n h a d been h i t n e a r H i r s o n . 18 B l e n h e i m s h a d a t t a c k e d columns i n t h e a r e a A u d e n a r d e ­ G r a m m o n t - H a l . One column a mile a n d a h a l f long h a d been attacked. N o r e p o r t s h a d been received from t h e A i r C o m p o n e n t or t h e A d v a n c e d A i r S t r i k i n g F o r c e o w i n g to t h e i n t e r r u p t i o n s of communications with France. E a r l y on the m o r n i n g of t h e 21st, a n enemy column on t h e A m i e n s - A b b e v i l l e road h a d been a t t a c k e d . A s q u a d r o n of fighters w a s o p e r a t i n g from K e n t over t h e L e n s a r e a . A H u d s o n h a d bombed a n e n e m y p a t r o l vessel 100 miles w e s t of t h e H o r n s Reef a n d o b t a i n e d a direct hit, leaving t h e s h i p i n a s i n k i n g condition. A force of 8 enemy m o t o r t o r p e d o boats 46 miles n o r t h of t h e H o o k h a d also been a t t a c k e d . A later r e c o n n a i s s a n c e h a d r e p o r t e d only 7 boats visible, a n d i t seemed likely t h a t one h a d been s u n k by o u r a i r c r a f t . M o r e a i r c r a f t h a d gone to t r y a n d m a k e a f u r t h e r a t t a c k on t h i s force. One of o u r a i r c r a f t w a s missing. Six aircraft had carried out mine-laying operations. T h e oil t a n k s a t R o t t e r d a m , w h i c h h a d been left u n d e s t r o y e d a n d w e r e believed to c o n t a i n 11,000 tons of a v i a t i o n s p i r i t , h a d been successfully a t t a c k e d d u r i n g the n i g h t . L a r g e fires a n d explosions w e r e seen. The W a r C a b i n e t ­ (i) Took note of t h e above s t a t e m e n t s . (ii) I n v i t e d t h e Chief of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff a n d t h e Chief of t h e Air Staff to e n s u r e t h a t a d e q u a t e a r r a n g e ­ m e n t s w e r e m a d e for quickly a n s w e r i n g calls for a i r s u p p o r t in t h e a r e a of t h e B r i t i s h E x p e d i t i o n a r y Force. 2. The First Sea Lord r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e cables between t h e E a s t C o a s t a n d B o r k u m a n d N o r d e r n e y h a d all been cut. T h e blockships for t h e B e l g i a n p o r t s w e r e a t 30 m i n u t e s ' notice. (Previous T h e S w e d i s h s h i p Erik Frisell (5,066 tons) h a d been s u n k by Bef erence: W M (40) 131st g u n f i by a U - b o a t 35 miles south-west of St. K i l d a on the m o r n i n g The Naval Situation. r e Conclusions, Minute 1 ) ' o f t n e 1 9 t i l May. F r e n c h destroyer a n d t w o oilers h a d been s u n k off D u n k e r q u e in the r a i d d u r i n g t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t . T h e r e h a d been several a i r a t t a c k s on s h i p p i n g in t h e D o w n s a n d the C h a n n e l , b u t l i t t l e d a m a g e h a d resulted. D e t a i l s w e r e given of t h e a i r r a i d on H a v r e t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t a n d of t h e d a m a g e caused. T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of the above s t a t e m e n t . Norway. Operations at Narvik. (Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) 131st Conclusions, Minute 4.) 3. The Chief of Naval Staff said t h a t a p e t r o l c a r r i e r N a r v i k h a d been bombed a n d destroyed by fire. at The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs r e f e r r e d to t h e p o l i t i c a l aspects of a f a i l u r e to t a k e N a r v i k . T e l e g r a m s h a d been sent to H i s M a j e s t y ' s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s in N o r w a y a n d Sweden to t h e effect t h a t t h e r e w a s no need for t h e m to discuss a n y f u r t h e r t h e (Previous p r o p o s a l for a cessation of hostilities i n N o r t h e r n N o r w a y . I f a t t i m e it w a s found necessary, for m i l i t a r y reasons, to w i t h d r a w Reference: W.M. (40) 129th from Norvik, t h i s p r o p o s a l m i g h t , a f t e r all, p r o v e valuable. He Conclusions, t h e r e f o r e d i d not propose t o close the door on t h i s p r o p o s a l u n t i l i t Minute 3.) e n how the s i t u a t i o n developed. a n w a v s s e T h e W a r C a b i n e t agreed w i t h t h e action proposed by the F o r e i g n Secretary. 4. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs s a i d t h a t the N e t h e r l a n d F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r h a d called on h i m t h a t m o r n i n g a n d Accommodation h a d asked w h e t h e r H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t would a p p r o v e t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e N e t h e r l a n d G o v e r n m e n t i n London, w h e r e they for the h a d o b t a i n e d suitable office accommodation. T h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y Netherland h a d expressed h i s a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h i s p r o p o s a l , subject to the Government. a p p r o v a l of the W a r Cabinet. (Previous The Netherlands. Reference: W.M. (39) 81st Conclusions, Minute 7.) Italy. Possible attack on Yugoslavia. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 126th Conclusions, Minute 8.) The W a r C a b i n e t I n v i t e d the F o r e i g n Secretary to confirm the p r o v i s i o n a l a p p r o v a l w h i c h he h a d given to t h e N e t h e r l a n d Govern­ m e n t to establish themselves in L o n d o n . 5. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t e l e g r a m No. 231 D I P P , d a t e d the 2 0 t h May,' from H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r in P a r i s , r e p o r t i n g t h a t t h e F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t considered i n o p p o r t u n e the d e c l a r a t i o n w h i c h we h a d suggested should be m a d e in t h e event of a n I t a l i a n a t t a c k on Yugoslavia. I t d i d not seem possible to p u r s u e the m a t t e r f u r t h e r a t t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t otherwise t h a n by a s k i n g the T u r k i s h G o v e r n m e n t for t h e i r views. T h e W a r Cabinet took note of t h i s s t a t e m e n t . Italy. Possible intentions. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 131st Conclusions, Minutes 6 and 7.) 6. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said t h a t S i r P e r c y L o r a i n e w a s to see C o u n t C i a n o t h a t day, b u t t h a t he h a d no f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n as to t h e i n t e n t i o n s of the I t a l i a n Govern­ m e n t . W e had, however, now h e a r d t h a t t h e I t a l i a n s were a n x i o u s to proceed w i t h t h e p r o p o s e d discussions on c o n t r a b a n d policy. The Prime Minister r e m i n d e d t h e W a r C a b i n e t t h a t he h a d been p r o p o s i n g to m a k e a s t a t e m e n t t h a t a f t e r n o o n in the H o u s e of Commons on our policy in r e g a r d to I t a l y . I n the l i g h t of t h e s i t u a t i o n as i t h a d developed, a n d in p a r t i c u l a r the D u c e ' s r e p l y t o h i s p e r s o n a l message, he much doubted w h e t h e r a s t a t e m e n t on the lines proposed would serve a n y useful p u r p o s e , w h i l e i t m i g h t well involve us in a n unprofitable exchange. T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h i s view. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs s a i d t h a t t h e r e w a s some reason to believe t h a t the I t a l i a n A m b a s s a d o r in P a r i s h a d been told t h a t such a s t a t e m e n t w a s to be m a d e . H e t h o u g h t , however, t h a t we should have no difficulty in a n s w e r i n g any question as to w h y we h a d c h a n g e d o u r - m i n d s on t h e m a t t e r . Italy. Possible plan for blocking the Suez Canal. (Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) 129th Conclusions, Minute 5.) 7. The Chief of Naval Staff r e f e r r e d to the r e p o r t t h a t a n I t a l i a n a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r of 5,000 t o n s w a s shortly l e a v i n g T o b r u k , w o u l d p a s s t h r o u g h the Suez C a n a l on the 2 5 t h M a y a n d w o u l d r e a c h M a s s a w a on the 2 7 t h M a y . I t w a s not a t all clear w h a t p u r p o s e t h i s movement would serve, a n d it w a s necessary to consider the possibility t h a t the a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r w o u l d be a very convenient s h i p w i t h w h i c h to block t h e C a n a l . A r m e d g u a r d s w e r e placed on m e r c h a n t ships p a s s i n g t h r o u g h t h e C a n a l to p r e v e n t a n y such action, b u t n o t on men-of-war. I n t h e course of discussion, i t w a s suggested t h a t we m i g h t m a k e e n q u i r i e s of t h e I t a l i a n Government, p u t t i n g to t h e m b l u n t l y t h a t we h a d received t h i s r e p o r t of t h e i r i n t e n t i o n s . Also, t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s should be m a d e to enable the C a n a l t o be t e m p o r a r i l y blocked a t s h o r t notice if we w a n t e d to p l a y for t i m e in r e g a r d to t h e p a s s a g e of t h i s a i r c r a f t - c a r r i e r . The W a r C a b i n e t ­ (i) I n v i t e d t h e Chief of N a v a l Staff to e n d e a v o u r to o b t a i n f u r t h e r details, t h r o u g h the N a v a l A t t a c h e in Rome, i n r e g a r d to the movements of t h i s vessel, (ii) I n v i t e d t h e F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y to i n s t r u c t t h e Senior N a v a l Officer in t h e C a n a l Zone t o get i n t o touch w i t h t h e local officials of t h e Suez C a n a l C o m p a n y , w i t h a view to a r r a n g i n g for a t e m p o r a r y blockage of the C a n a l , if it should be r e q u i r e d , (iii) I n v i t e d t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs to e x p l a i n the p o s i t i o n to H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r a t Rome, a n d to a s c e r t a i n if he f a v o u r e d a d i r e c t a p p r o a c h to t h e I t a l i a n G o v e r n m e n t on t h i s m a t t e r . U.S.S.R. S u ^ e s t e d despatch of a special Envoy to Moscow. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 129th Conclusions, Minute 7.) ' a 8. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said, w i t h t h e M i n i s t e r for Economic W a r f a r e , h e h a d now seen S i r Stafford C r i p p s , a n d t h a t t h e l a t t e r h a d a g r e e d t o u n d e r t a k e t h e suggested Mission to Moscow on behalf of H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t . H e h a d also seen M. Maisky, a n d h a d told h i m , in a n s w e r to question, t h a t , while t h e Mission w a s i n t e n d e d to be p r i m a r i l y concerned w i t h t r a d e m a t t e r s , S i r Stafford C r i p p s w o u l d have full liberty to discuss a n y o t h e r m a t t e r w h i c h m i g h t a r i s e . M. M a i s k y h a d expressed himself as m u c h pleased w i t h t h e suggestion, a n d h a d said t h a t he expected to receive a reply from h i s G o v e r n m e n t in t w o or t h r e e d a y s ' t i m e . T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h i s s t a t e m e n t . Spain. (Previous References: W.M. (40) 131st Conclusions, Minute 5, and 123rd Conclusions, Minute 12.). Proposal for economic assistance. 9. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, r e m i n d e d t h e W a r C a b i n e t of t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s contemplated for p r o v i d i n g S p a i n , t h r o u g h P o r t u g a l , w i t h economic a s s i s t a n c e w h i c h it w a s h o p e d would help to p r e v e n t u n s a t i s f a c t o r y developments in S p a i n . These a r r a n g e m e n t s h a d now been a g r e e d w i t h t h e D e p a r t m e n t s concerned.' M r . Eccles of t h e M i n i s t r y of Economic W a r f a r e w a s r e t u r n i n g to P o r t u g a l on t h e following day, w h e r e he would see D r . S a l a z a r w i t h a view t o p u t t i n g m a t t e r s in t r a i n . C a b i n e t took note of t h i s s t a t e m e n t . T h e W a r Netherland East 10. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs d r e w a t t e n t i o n Indies. to t e l e g r a m No. 795 from H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r , Tokyo, Japanese policy. r e p o r t i n g a s follows :— (Previous A member of t h e E m b a s s y Staff h a d been told i n J a p a n e s e Reference: official q u a r t e r s t h a t t h e question of t h e N e t h e r l a n d E a s t W.M. (40) 127th I n d i e s could now be r e g a r d e d as settled, a n d t h a t , unless some Conclusions, o t h e r P o w e r intervened, t h e J a p a n e s e fleet w o u l d n o t move Minute 6.) south. T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of this s t a t e m e n t . Demolitions in 1 1 . The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said that Northern French d u r i n g t h e l a s t few days p l a n s h a d been worked Out a n d p r e p a r a ­ Ports and in tions m a d e for c a r r y i n g o u t demolitions in N o r t h e r n F r e n c h p o r t s . Belgium. I n view of t h e m e n a c i n g s i t u a t i o n w i t h r e g a r d to C a l a i s a n d Boulogne, N a v a l demolition p a r t i e s h a d been o r g a n i s e d a n d would Calais and be r e a d y to sail d u r i n g t h e course of t h e afternoon. Boulogne. The Prime Minister t h o u g h t t h a t there w a s no i m m e d i a t e r i s k of t h e G e r m a n s o c c u p y i n g the F r e n c h p o r t s i n s t r e n g t h . The Secretary of State for War said t h a t t w o b a t t a l i o n s w e r e being sent t o Boulogne to d e a l w i t h a n y G e r m a n a d v a n c e d forces w h i c h m i g h t m a n a g e to reach t h e p o r t . Ghent and Bruges. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 118th Conclusions, Minute 4.) The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said t h a t he h a d no i n f o r m a t i o n as to w h e t h e r demolitions a t G h e n t a n d B r u g e s h a d been or w o u l d be c a r r i e d out. These demolitions h a d been a responsibility of t h e F r e n c h a u t h o r i t i e s , b u t the F r e n c h t r o o p s h a d been w i t h d r a w n from n o r t h e r n Belgium. The Prime Minister suggested t h a t the Chancellor of t h e D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r should get i n t o touch w i t h A d m i r a l Keyes a n d invite him to do e v e r y t h i n g possible to ensure t h a t t h e demolitions w e r e effected. The W a r Cabinet agreed : — (1) T h a t the demolition p a r t i e s should proceed to C a l a i s a n d Boulogne forthwith. (2) T h a t t h e officer i n c o m m a n d of the p a r t i e s should h a v e a u t h o r i t y to d e s t r o y a n y stores of p e t r o l i n these two p o r t s , if t h i s course was necessary to d e n y t h e m to t h e Germans. (3) T h a t save as i n (2), no demolitions should be effected w i t h o u t i n s t r u c t i o n s from the A d m i r a l t y . Invasion of Great Britain. Possibility of seaborne and airborne attack. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 116th Conclusions, Minute 1.) 12. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before them a R e p o r t by t h e Chiefs of Staff C o m m i t t e e , ^ i n collaboration w i t h t h e M i n i s t r y of H o m e Security, on Seaborne a n d A i r b o r n e a t t a c k on t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m ( W . P . (40) 153). The Prime Minister suggested t h a t the W a r C a b i n e t should give the R e p o r t t h e i r g e n e r a l a p p r o v a l . H e did n o t feel, however, t h a t every aspect of t h e problem h a d been covered a n d h e t h o u g h t t h a t f u r t h e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n should be given to t h e m a t t e r i n t h e following week i n the l i g h t of an a p p r e c i a t i o n w h i c h w a s being p r e p a r e d by officers of t h e t h r e e Services of t h e possibilities o f a t t a c k looked a t from t h e e n e m y ' s p o i n t of view. 1 1 d £ I n discussion, the following p o i n t s w e r e r a i s e d :— (Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) 127th Conclusions, Minute 16.) Fortifications. (1) The Lord Privy Seal r e f e r r e d to t h e absence of fortifications i n s i d e t h i s country. I t m i g h t be desirable to establish s t r o n g p o i n t s a t a n u m b e r of places to form centres of resistance a g a i n s t t r o o p s l a n d e d from t h e air, u n t i l . mobile t r o o p s could be c o n c e n t r a t e d to destroy them. The Secretary of State u p t h i s suggestion. (Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) Con­ clusions 119 A, Minute 4.) for War u n d e r t o o k to follow Arming of Police. (2) I n reply to a question, the Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Minister of Home Security said t h a t t h e Commissioner of M e t r o p o l i t a n Police, after full discussion w i t h h i s Chief S u p e r i n t e n d e n t s , w a s opposed to the a r m i n g of t h e Police. O n l y a small p r o p o r t i o n of t h e Police h a d been t r a i n e d i n t h e use of fire-arms, a n d i n the C o m m i s s i o n e r ^ view, p r o v i d e d t h a t t h e r e w a s no s h o r t a g e of personnel who could be armed, the Police should be k e p t for civil police work, of w h i c h t h e r e would be plenty, while t h e available a r m s were issued to other­ personnel. (3) The Prime Minister w a s r e l u c t a n t t o accept t h e view t h a t t h e police should not be a r m e d . I n m a n y instances, foreign police forces c a r r i e d a r m s ; a n d he t h o u g h t t h a t the m a t t e r should be f u r t h e r e x a m i n e d before a n y final decision w a s reached. Supply of fire-arms. Supply of fire-arms. (4) The Secretary of State for War s a i d t h a t , a t t h e moment, there were not sufficient rifles a n d pistols to a r m all t h e men w h o h a d volunteered. I t w a s suggested t h a t the question of o b t a i n i n g f u r t h e r s u p p l i e s of pistols a n d shotguns, by w i t h d r a w a l from p r i v a t e persons, should be considered. Supreme authority in event of invasion. (5) The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs asked w h e t h e r i t w a s q u i t e clear t h a t , i n t h e event of seaborne or a i r ­ borne invasion, s u p r e m e a u t h o r i t y devolved on the military authorities. The Secretary of State for Home Affairs and Minister of Home Security s a i d t h a t R e g i o n a l Com­ missioners were i n the closest touch w i t h the M i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s a n d i t w a s q u i t e clear t h a t , in the event of invasion, the M i l i t a r y a u t h o r i t i e s took command. Defence of aerodromes and aircraft factories. (6) The Ijord President of the Council t h o u g h t t h a t first p r i o r i t y should be given to t h e defence of aerodromes a n d a i r c r a f t factories, more especially the two v i t a l factories p r o d u c i n g engines for o u r fighters. The W a r C a b i n e t ­ (i) Gave general a p p r o v a l to the r e p o r t of the Chiefs of Staff ( W . P . (40) 153), a n d in p a r t i c u l a r gave covering a p p r o v a l to the s e t t i n g u p of a H o m e Defence Executive, (ii) Took note t h a t the problem of Defence a g a i n s t seaborne a n d a i r b o r n e a t t a c k was b e i n g m a d e the subject of f u r t h e r intensive study, a n d t h a t "it would a g a i n be b r o u g h t before M i n i s t e r s i n a b o u t a w e e k ' s time. [21320] ' c (iii) A s k e d t h a t c e r t a i n a s p e c t s of t h e problem should be f u r t h e r e x a m i n e d as below :— (a) T h e Secretary of S t a t e for W a r w a s a s k e d to investi­ g a t e w h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s w e r e b e i n g m a d e for the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of s t r o n g p o i n t s i n t h e a r e a s where a i r b o r n e invasion w a s m o s t likely to be a t t e m p t e d . (ft) T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for H o m e Affairs a n d the M i n i s t e r of H o m e S e c u r i t y w a s a s k e d to consider f u r t h e r , i n c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r , w h e t h e r t h e police should be armed. (c) T h e Secretary of S t a t e for H o m e Affairs w a s asked to i n v e s t i g a t e t h e possibility of s u p p l e m e n t i n g the stocks of small a r m s a v a i l a b l e to the a u t h o r i t i e s by collecting s h o t g u n s a n d pistols from p r i v a t e persons. Aircraft Production. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 127th Conclusions Minute 14.)' 13. The Lord Privy Seal r e p o r t e d to t h e W a r C a b i n e t t h a t a g r e e m e n t h a d been reached on two o u t of t h e t h r e e p o i n t s which were r e m i t t e d to h i m for a r b i t r a t i o n a t t h e m e e t i n g held on S a t u r d a y , the 18th May. On t h e t h i r d p o i n t , r e l a t i n g to t h e supply of a i r c r a f t to C a n a d a , the W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m M e m o r a n d a by the M i n i s t e r for A i r c r a f t P r o d u c t i o n a n d by t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for A i r ( W . P . (40) 160 a n d 161). T h e p r o p o s a l w a s to w i t h h o l d t h e d e s p a t c h to C a n a d a of A n s o n a n d B a t t l e a i r c r a f t to be used for t h e t r a i n i n g of pilots, observers a n d a i r g u n n e r s . I t w a s a q u e s t i o n of w e i g h i n g t h e a d v a n t a g e of an i m m e d i a t e a d d i t i o n to our a i r s t r e n g t h in m e d i u m bombers, a g a i n s t t h e prospective provision of p i l o t s a s a l o n g - t e r m policy. T h e r e w a s no evidence t h a t o t h e r a i r c r a f t w e r e available to t a k e t h e place of the machines proposed to be w i t h h e l d . T h e a t t i t u d e of the D o m i n i o n G o v e r n m e n t s w a s likely to be u n f a v o u r a b l e to a cessation, a n d i t w a s i m p o r t a n t to m a i n t a i n a c o n t i n u o u s s u p p l y of t r a i n e d flying personnel. I n these c i r c u m s t a n c e s , he h a d r e a c h e d t h e con­ clusion t h a t t h e c o m p a r a t i v e l y small a d d i t i o n to o u r a i r s t r e n g t h represented by the a i r c r a f t b e i n g d e s p a t c h e d to C a n a d a w a s insufficient to j u s t i f y a t p r e s e n t t h e w i t h h o l d i n g of t h e delivery of these machines. T h e following w e r e the m a i n p o i n t s m a d e in t h e discussion : — (1) The Minister for Aircraft Production s t a t e d t h a t he h a d t h a t m o r n i n g received a n u n d e r t a k i n g from Messrs. B r y a n A l l e n t h a t they could p r o d u c e 100 L y c o m i n g engines a m o n t h w h i c h were s u i t a b l e for fitting to B a t t l e s a n d A n s o n a i r c r a f t . H e suggested, t h e r e f o r e , t h a t t h e RollsM e r l i n a n d C h e e t a h e n g i n e s n o w fitted to these a i r f r a m e s should be taken out a n d fitted i n t o a i r f r a m e s now in reserve, b u t for w h i c h no e n g i n e s w e r e i m m e d i a t e l y available. The Secretary of State for Air suggested t h a t t h i s w a s a new p r o p o s a l w h i c h he w o u l d g l a d l y discuss w i t h the M i n i s t e r . (2) The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs p o i n t e d out t h a t the A i r T r a i n i n g Scheme h a d been a g r e e d w i t h the D o m i n i o n G o v e r n m e n t s of A u s t r a l i a , N e w Z e a l a n d a n d Canada. E l e m e n t a r y t r a i n i n g w a s c a r r i e d o u t in A u s t r a l i a a n d N e w Z e a l a n d , a n d more a d v a n c e d t r a i n i n g in C a n a d a . I f t h e r e w a s to be a n y g a p in t h e s u p p l y of a i r c r a f t for t r a i n i n g , w e m i g h t h a v e to ask the D o m i n i o n G o v e r n m e n t s to a c c e p t a modification of t h e a g r e e d scheme. (3) The Secretary of State for Air p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e r e were a l r e a d y 700 a i r c r a f t of the types i n question in store, for w h i c h e q u i p m e n t would have to be found before the A n s o n s a n d B a t t l e s , d u e for despatch to C a n a d a , could be r e a d a p t e d for o p e r a t i o n a l use. I t w a s suggested t h a t the provision, for t h e B a t t l e s a n d A n s o n s due for d e s p a t c h to C a n a d a , of the items of e q u i p m e n t w h i c h were in s h o r t s u p p l y , w a s likely to i n t e r f e r e w i t h the provision of e q u i p m e n t for more m o d e r n types. (4) The Prime Minister said t h a t B a t t l e a i r c r a f t w e r e being used on t h e front to-day, a n d t h a t they were likely to be i n c r e a s i n g l y useful in t h e course of t h e n e x t two months, if t h e enemy w e r e to establish bases closer to the U n i t e d Kingdom, a n d w e r e to obtain a foothold on the F r e n c h coast. T h e types of a i r c r a f t now i n question were not those of t h e first efficiency, b u t if w e r a n short of the better t y p e s it would be unwise to d e p r i v e ourselves of the second-best in t h e l i f e - a n d - d e a t h s t r u g g l e w h i c h we m i g h t have to face in t h e next few weeks. Although, the n u m b e r of m a c h i n e s involved w a s inconsiderable, he t h o u g h t t h a t i t w o u l d be d a n g e r o u s to send a w a y from the c o u n t r y even a small number of a i r c r a f t , if they could be used for o p e r a t i o n a l purposes in the n e a r f u t u r e . T h e s u p p l y of pilots, t h o u g h of immense value, w a s remote in c o m p a r i s o n w i t h the needs of the moment, w h e n t h e enemy a p p e a r e d to be s t a k i n g e v e r y t h i n g on r e a c h i n g a quick decision. H e w a s therefore inclined to suspend t h e d e s p a t c h of these a i r c r a f t u n t i l after the i m m e d i a t e crisis, a n d felt confident t h a t the D o m i n i o n s w o u l d u n d e r s t a n d the position. The W a r Cabinet— I n v i t e d the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for A i r to r e - e x a m i n e the p o s i t i o n in c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h the M i n i s t e r of A i r c r a f t P r o d u c t i o n , w i t h p a r t i c u l a r reference, t o — (a) the p r o p o s a l t h a t B a t t l e a n d A n s o n a i r f r a m e s only should be sent over, and L y c o m i n g engines fitted in Canada; (b) the question w h e t h e r o p e r a t i o n a l e q u i p m e n t could be m a d e available for the a i r c r a f t in question, w i t h o u t i n t e r f e r i n g w i t h t h e supply of e q u i p m e n t to more m o d e r n types. T h e M i n i s t e r s w e r e invited to i n f o r m the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for D o m i n i o n Affairs of t h e conclusions reached. The Netherlands and Belgium. Eeeeption of war refugees. (Previous Reference: W.M. (40) 131st Conclusions, Minute 12.)' 14. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs s a i d t h a t he h a d received a n u r g e n t message from M. Corbin in r e g a r d to the a s s i s t a n c e w h i c h w e h a d u n d e r t a k e n to give t h e F r e n c h in d e a l i n g w i t h t h e refugee problem. T h e F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t w e r e a n x i o u s t h a t we should d e s i g n a t e one person w i t h w h o m they could establish c o n t a c t a n d who w o u l d be responsible for c o - o r d i n a t i n g the d u t i e s f l D e p a r t m e n t s in t h i s m a t t e r . The F o r e i g n Secretary proposed t h a t t h e Chancellor of the D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r should u n d e r t a k e these d u t i e s . Q a l T h e W a r C a b i n e t a g r e e d to this p r o p o s a l . Richmond Terrace, S. W. 1, May 2 1 , 1940.