(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/65/7/1
Image Reference:0001
THIS DOCUMENT IS T H E PROPERTY OF H I S BRITANNIC M A J E S T V S GOVERNMENT
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
3
May 1940.
SECRET.
Copy N o .
43
W . M . (40)
109th Conclusions.
TO B E K E P T
UNDER
LOCK
AND KEY.
I t is r e q u e s t e d t h a t special care m a y be t a k e n to
e n s u r e t h e secrecy of this document.
WAR
CONCLUSIONS
CABINET
109(40).
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10 Downing
S.W.1,
on Wednesday,
May 1, 1940, at 1 1 - 3 0 A.M. Street,
Present:
T h e R i g h t H o n . N E V I L L E CHAMBERLAIN, M . P
P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the
Chair).
The R i g h t H o n . VISCOUNT HALIFAX,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n
Affairs.
T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r J O H N S I M O N , K.C.,
M . P . , Chancellor of t h e Exchequer.
The Right Hon. S i r KINGSLEY WOOD,
M . P . , L o r d P r i v y Seal.
The
Right
Hon. WINSTON
C H U R C H I L L , M . P . , F i r s t L o r d of
S.
the
Admiralty.
T h e R i g h t H o n . O L I V E R STANLEY, M.P., T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r SAMUEL HOARE,
Bt., M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for A i r .
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r .
LORD
HANKEY,
The
Right Hon
Minister without Portfolio.
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r J O H N ANDERSON, l T h e R i g h t Hon. ANTHONY EDEN, M.P.,
M . P . , Secretary of S t a t e f o r t h e 1 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
Affairs.
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.
j
T h e H o n . S i r A L E X A N D E R CADOGAN,
A i r Chief M a r s h a l S i r C Y R I L L . N .
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 ! N E W A L L , Chief of t h e A i r Staff,
for F o r e i g n Affairs.
A d m i r a l of the F l e e t S i r D U D L E Y j G e n e r a l S i r W . E D M U N D I R O N S I D E ,
P O U N D , F i r s t S e a L o r d a n d Chief of
Chief of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff.
N a v a l Staff.
Secretariat:
Sir EDWARD BRIDGES. Major-General H . L. ISMAY. Mr. F. H E M M I N G . W i n g Commander W . ELLIOT. L i e u t e n a n t - C o l o n e l E . I . C. J A C O B , R . E . M r . L. F . B U R G I S . [21245]
WAR
CABINET
109
(40).
CONTENTS.
Minute
Subject.
No.
Page
1
The A i r Situation
B.A.E. activity.
Stavanger aerodrome.
Aalborg aerodrome.
Eornebu aerodrome.
Coastal Command.
E n e m y activity.
E n e m y aircraft crashes at Clacton.
Employment of German bomber force in Scandinavia.
3
2
The Naval Situation
H.M. submarine Unity.
4
3
O p e r a t i o n s in N o r w a y . . .
Narvik area.
Namsos area.
Trondhjem area.
Andalsnes area.
4
Italy
Attitude of Italian press.
6
5
Italy
Naval dispositions in t h e Mediterranean.
Italian liner Bex.
6
6
The Mediterranean
...
Protection of British shipping.
7
U.S.S.R.
Trade negotiations.
7
8
Sweden
Danger of German invasion.
7
9
G e r m a n y : Possi ble i n t e n t i o n s
Belgium.
Invasion of Great Britain.
The Netherlands.
10
...
...
...
...
...
...
6
...
7
The Balkans
Probable extent and effectiveness of Allied assistance to Turkey.
8
...
...
...
4
1. The Secretary of State for A ir said t h a t t w o B l e n h e i m s h a d
c o m p l e t e d a successful r e c o n n a i s s a n c e of R y e a e r o d r o m e ( D e n m a r k )
and had returned.
Fifty a i r c r a f t h a d been observed on t h e
(Previous
a e r o d r o m e a n d d i s p e r s e d in trees. These fifty a i r c r a f t h a d consisted
Eef erence:
W.M. (40) 108th m o s t l y of J u n k e r s 88's a n d H e i n k e l s 111's w i t h w h a t a p p e a r e d t o
be f o u r - e n g i n e d t r a n s p o r t s . T h e r e h a d been no o p p o s i t i o n .
Conclusions,
The Air
Situation.
Minute 1.)
B.A.F. activity.
Stavanger
aerodrome.
Six B l e n h e i m s h a d left on t h e previous a f t e r n o o n for a d a y
a t t a c k on S t a v a n g e r .
T w o of these h a d c a r r i e d o u t t h e i r t a s k successfully, one h a d
over-shot t h e t a r g e t a n d its bombs h a d fallen i n t o the sea, a n d one
h a d been chased by four M e s s e r s c h m i t t s 110's a n d h a d not succeeded
i n d r o p p i n g i t s bombs. O n e of t h e a i r c r a f t a f t e r d r o p p i n g i t s
bombs h a d been a t t a c k e d by a M e s s e r s c h m i t t 109 w h i c h h a d been
s h o t d o w n . A b o u t 150 a i r c r a f t h a d been seen on t h e r u n w a y s a n d
d i s p e r s e d r o u n d the a e r o d r o m e . T w o of o u r m a c h i n e s w e r e m i s s i n g .
F o u r t e e n W e l l i n g t o n s h a d a t t a c k e d S t a v a n g e r "on t h e p r e v i o u s
n i g h t . T e n h a d completed t h e task, t h r e e w e r e missing, a n d one h a d
c r a s h e d i n Y o r k s h i r e on its r e t u r n . Balloons h a d been observed a t
between 6,000 a n d 7,000 feet, a n d M e s s e r s c h m i t t 110's a n d 109's
h a d been encountered. One M e s s e r s c h m i t t 109 h a d been shot d o w n
i n flames.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e t i m i n g of t h i s o p e r a t i o n h a d n o t w o r k e d
o u t a c c o r d i n g to p l a n . F o g h a d been forecast, a n d o u r a i r c r a f t h a d
been a n x i o u s to r e t u r n before the fog descended. One of the t w o
sections of W e l l i n g t o n s e n g a g e d h a d a r r i v e d a t i t s t a r g e t before
d a r k w i t h the result t h a t i t h a d suffered c a s u a l t i e s . T h e section
w h i c h h a d a r r i v e d a f t e r d a r k h a d suffered no casualties.
A f u r t h e r n i g h t a t t a c k on S t a v a n g e r a e r o d r o m e h a d been
c a r r i e d o u t by twelve W h i t l e y s , of which eleven h a d r e t u r n e d , a n d
one h a d n o t yet r e p o r t e d back. T h r e e m a c h i n e s h a d completed
t h e i r t a s k a n d t h r e e h a d failed to a t t a c k .
R e p o r t s from t h e
r e m a i n d e r h a d not yet been received.
Aalborg
A n i g h t a t t a c k on A a l b o r g a e r o d r o m e h a d been c a r r i e d o u t b y
aerodrome.
t h r e e H a m p d e n s , of w h i c h one h a d completed i t s t a s k , one h a d
failed to find a t a r g e t , a n d one h a d crashed i n Norfolk on i t s r e t u r n .
Fqrnebu
Ten Whitleys h a d carried out a night attack on Fornebu. N i n e
aerodrome.
h a d r e t u r n e d or were r e p o r t e d on their w a y home.
Preliminary
r e p o r t s h a d s t a t e d t h a t some a i r c r a f t h a d successfully c a r r i e d o u t
t h i s a t t a c k , b u t f u r t h e r d e t a i l s w e r e not yet available. O n e W h i t l e y
h a d not yet r e t u r n e d .
A n a t t a c k h a d also been c a r r i e d o u t on F o r n e b u by five
H a m p d e n s , all of w h i c h h a d r e t u r n e d safely. F o u r h a d c a r r i e d o u t
t h e i r t a s k successfully b u t s e a r c h l i g h t s h a d p r e v e n t e d observation.
F i r e s h a d been s t a r t e d a n d one h a n g a r h a d been seen ablaze.
T h e s e o p e r a t i o n s were b e i n g very carefully w a t c h e d from t h e
p o i n t of view of e n s u r i n g t h a t u n d u e risks w e r e n o t t a k e n , or losses
s u s t a i n e d , i n r e l a t i o n t o the results likely to be achieved.
B a d visibility h a d seriously i n t e r f e r e d w i t h flying.
Coastal
A section of Blenheim fighters h a d flown a n offensive p a t r o l of
command.
R o m s d a l e F j o r d . N o enemy a i r c r a f t h a d been seen a n d there h a d
been no a n t i - a i r c r a f t fire.
A t A a l e s u n d t w o oil t a n k s on t h e island h a d been seen b u r n i n g .
A t A n d a l s n e s trees h a d been seen b u r n i n g on t h e N o r t h e r n e d g e
of the h i l l a n d a house on fire on t h e west side of t h e F j o r d .
One S u n d e r l a n d h a d flown to Namsos w i t h t w o A r m y Officers
t h e p r e v i o u s evening.
T h a t m o r n i n g t h r e e H u d s o n s h a d left to bomb S t a v a n g e r
A e r o d r o m e a n d three B l e n h e i m s h a d left for R o m s d a l e F j o r d .
E n e m y activity.
T h e r e h a d been l i t t l e enemy a c t i v i t y d u r i n g t h e previous d a y .
T w o p l o t s h a d been traced, one off Southwold a n d one 60 miles o u t
off F l a m b o r o u g h H e a d . D u r i n g t h e previous n i g h t 18 t r a c k s h a d
[21245]
2
B
Enemy aircraft
crashes at
Clacton.
been plotted, one 40 miles east of S c a p a , five in the T y n e a r e a , one
in t h e m o u t h of t h e Plumber a n d eleven in t h e T h a m e s E s t u a r y .
These enemy a i r c r a f t h a d p r o b a b l y been e n g a g e d in m i n e ­
l a y i n g . T h e Tyne, l l u m b e r a n d T h a m e s E s t u a r y a n t i - a i r c r a f t
defences h a d been in a c t i o n w i t h s e a r c h l i g h t s . T h e police h a d
r e p o r t e d t h a t a n a i r c r a f t h a d a l i g h t e d on the w a t e r off M a r g a t e a n d
a H u m b e r g u n s t a t i o n h a d r e p o r t e d t h a t a n enemy a i r c r a f t h a d
opened fire on a s e a r c h l i g h t .
A H e i n k e l 111 h a d crashed in a g a r d e n a t Clacton, a n d h a d
c a u g h t fire. A s a r e s u l t four houses h a d been demolished a n d fifty
d a m a g e d . F o u r of the crew of t h e a i r c r a f t h a d been killed. O n e
civilian h a d been killed a n d 97 i n j u r e d , of w h o m 49 w e r e in h o s p i t a l .
T h e w e a t h e r h a d p r e v e n t e d fighter action. O n e fighter w h i c h h a d
t a k e n off from M a r t l e s h a m h a d c r a s h e d n e a r Lowestoft, t h e p i l o t
being killed.
The Home Secretary said t h a t he feared t h a t t h e r e w e r e o t h e r
c a s u a l t i e s besides those mentioned by t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for A i r .
I t a p p e a r e d t h a t t h e r e h a d first been a n explosion i n t h e a i r a n d
a f t e r the m a c h i n e h a d crashed f u r t h e r explosions h a d t a k e n place.
Employment of
The Secretary of State for Air s a i d t h a t he h a d m e n t i o n e d to
German bomber the W a r Cabinet a few days ago t h a t t h e A i r Staff considered t h a t
force in
10 p e r cent, of the G e r m a n bomber force h a d been e n g a g e d in t h e
Scandinavia.
N o r w e g i a n o p e r a t i o n s . T h e A i r Staff now h a d reason to believe
t h a t about 25 per cent, of the G e r m a n bomber force w a s b e i n g
employed.
The W a r C a b i n e t took n o t e of t h e above s t a t e m e n t s .
The Naval
Situation.
(Previous
Eeferenee:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
n
2. The First Loral of the Admiralty
s a i d t h a t the M i n e s w e e p e r
Dunoon h a d s t r u c k a m i n e n e a r S m i t h ' s Knoll, N o r t h of the T h a m e s
E s t u a r y , a t 6-15 t h e previous day a n d h a d sunk. T h e r e h a d been
42 survivors, of whom 4 h a d been seriously i n j u r e d . T h e Dunoon
a d previously r e p o r t e d t h a t she h a d p a r t e d 3 sweeps a n d t h a t it
evident t h a t a n anti-sweep device w a s being used i n t h i s a r e a .
w
a
s
Minute 2.)
H.M. Submarine
H . M . S u b m a r i n e Unity h a d been s u n k on the 2 9 t h A p r i l in
collision w i t h a N o r w e g i a n steamer a t 7 - 1 5 P . M . off the F a m e
Unity.
I s l a n d s . One officer a n d t h r e e r a t i n g s w e r e m i s s i n g . T a p p i n g h a d
been h e a r d a t 3 o'clock t h a t m o r n i n g a n d divers from S c a p a w e r e
being h u r r i e d to t h e Tyne.
T h e F r e n c h destroyer Maille-Breze
h a d c a u g h t fire a t Greenock
a f t e r a big explosion the previous a f t e r n o o n a n d h a d s u n k later.
A b o u t 50 casualties h a d been t a k e n to h o s p i t a l .
The W a r C a b i n e t took note of the above s t a t e m e n t .
Operations in
Norway.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
Narvik area.
3.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t were given t h e following i n f o r m a t i o n :—
(1) T h e oiler Boardale
(8,334 tons) h a d been d a m a g e d by
g r o u n d i n g off L a n g o I s l a n d a n d h a d s u b s e q u e n t l y c a u g h t
fire a n d sunk.
(2) T h e F r e n c h Chasseurs A l p i n s h a d expected to m a k e c o n t a c t
w i t h G e r m a n t r o o p s close to B j e r k v i k t h a t day. B r i t i s h
troops h a d occupied A n k a n e s .
(3) P a r t i c u l a r s were given of the A . A . g u n defences a l r e a d y
installed in t h e N a r v i k area, of f u r t h e r g u n s in t r a n s i t ,
a n d of t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s b e i n g m a d e for t h e d e s p a t c h
of still f u r t h e r guns.
(4) H . M . S . Glasgow w a s expected a t T r o m s o a t 8 P . M . t h a t
d a y , h a v i n g on board t h e K i n g of N o r w a y a n d members
Namsos area.
Trondhjem area.
Andalsnes area.
of h i s G o v e r n m e n t . T h e F i r s t L o r d of the A d m i r a l t y
u n d e r t o o k to e x a m i n e t h e q u e s t i o n of s t r e n g t h e n i n g the
A . A . defences of T r o m s o .
(5) H . M . S . Janus h a d e m b a r k e d 100 men a n d t w o A . A . g u n s
t h e p r e v i o u s e v e n i n g a t N a m s o s w i t h a v i e w to o c c u p y i n g
Mosjoen. A c o m p a n y of soldiers w i t h stores w e r e to be
l a n d e d from Ben My Chree a t Mo, n o r t h of Mosjoen, i n
order to p r e v e n t enemy l a n d i n g s t h e r e .
(6) T h e sloop H . M . S . Bittern
h a d been bombed c o n t i n u o u s l y
t h e p r e v i o u s day. A t 3 P . M . she h a d been dive-bombed
by waves of 8 H e i n k e l s a n d h a d been set on fire. A f t e r
being a b a n d o n e d , she h a d s u n k in deep w a t e r .
The
news from t h e f o r w a r d a r e a w a s good.
(7) I t h a d been decided to a b a n d o n t h e f e i n t a t t a c k on the forts
a t t h e e n t r a n c e to T r o n d h j e m F j o r d , in o r d e r to ease
t h e p r o b l e m s w h i c h the C o m m a n d e r - i n - C h i e f h a d to face
i n connection w i t h t h e w i t h d r a w a l from A n d a l s n e s .
T h e blockade of T r o n d h j e m w a s also b e i n g raised, a s the
d e s t r o y e r s employed in t h i s o p e r a t i o n w e r e needed
elsewhere.
(8) H . M . S . Wanderer
h a d gone a s h o r e n e a r A n d a l s n e s a t
11-15 P . M . the previous night. She h a d reported that
she m i g h t be able to move w i t h t h e n e x t h i g h t i d e , b u t
the e x t e n t of t h e d a m a g e w a s not k n o w n .
(9) T h e r e h a d been n o d i r e c t c o m m u n i c a t i o n w i t h A n d a l s n e s
on t h e p r e v i o u s d a y , a n d no m e s s a g e h a d been received
from G e n e r a l P a g e t . I n t e r m i t t e n t b o m b i n g of the town
h a d c o n t i n u e d . T h e r e h a d been no s h i p in t h e p o r t of
A n d a l s n e s from t h e t i m e H . M . S . Fleetwood h a d left on
t h e n i g h t of t h e 2 9 t h A p r i l u n t i l H . M . S . Auckland
had
a r r i v e d t h e r e on t h e evening of t h e 3 0 t h A p r i l .
(10) 2,200 t r o o p s h a d been e m b a r k e d t h e p r e v i o u s n i g h t from
A n d a l s n e s , a n d 120 R o y a l M a r i n e s from Veblunoses.
The Prime Minister
gave t h e W a r C a b i n e t a n account of t h e
r e p o r t w h i c h h a d been m a d e p e r s o n a l l y to h i m .by M a j o r Jefferis.
M a j o r Jefferis h a d been sent o u t to A n d a l s n e s w i t h i n s t r u c t i o n s to
blow u p t h e W e s t e r n r a i l w a y in C e n t r a l N o r w a y .
He had
a c c o r d i n g l y gone d o w n the r a i l w a y line a n d j o i n e d B r i g a d i e r
M o r g a n ' s B r i g a d e ; b u t t h e N o r w e g i a n s h a d c a t e g o r i c a l l y refused
to a l l o w h i m to c a r r y o u t a n y demolitions. H e h a d been p r e s e n t
w h e n M o r g a n ' s B r i g a d e h a d been e n g a g e d by the enemy.
The
G e r m a n s h a d a t t a c k e d w i t h a r t i l l e r y , t a n k s , a n d a r m o u r e d cars,
w h i c h o u r own t r o o p s h a d been w i t h o u t . F a r more d e s t r u c t i v e
morale, however, h a d been t h e low-flying a t t a c k s w i t h bombs a n d
m a c h i n e g u n s . A l t h o u g h the c a s u a l t i e s h a d n o t been so g r e a t a s
from shell fire, t h e m o r a l effect of seeing t h e a i r c r a f t c o m i n g , of
being u n a b l e to t a k e cover, of being able to observe t h e bomb
d r o p p i n g , a n d of t h e terrific explosion, h a d been o v e r w h e l m i n g .
M a j o r Jefferis h a d e v e n t u a l l y found himself w i t h t h e G e r m a n s
b e h i n d h i m . P i c k i n g u p a s e r g e a n t a n d two p r i v a t e s , he h a d
succeeded i n m a k i n g h i s w a y back to A n d a l s n e s ; a n d on t h e w a y he
h a d m a n a g e d to blow u p the g i r d e r s of t w o b r i d g e s on t h e G e r m a n
side. H e e s t i m a t e d t h a t i t w o u l d t a k e some t h r e e weeks to r e p a i r
these. A t A n d a l s n e s t h e conditions of a i r a t t a c k h a d been such a s
to m a k e i t q u i t e impossible to w a l k d o w n to t h e j e t t y d u r i n g
d a y l i g h t hours. H e h a d s p e n t a d a y in a sloop i n t h e h a r b o u r , a t
w h i c h t h i r t y bombs h a d been aimed.
None h a d h i t , b u t t h e
i m m u n i t y of a s h i p u n d e r such c o n d i t i o n s could only be, in M a j o r
Jefferis's opinion, a m a t t e r of time, a n d he c a l c u l a t e d t h a t i t s life
would p r o b a b l y n o t be more t h a n t h r e e d a y s .
T h e g e n e r a l conclusion w h i c h he (the P r i m e M i n i s t e r ) d r e w
from M a j o r Jefferis's account w a s t h a t i t w a s q u i t e impossible for
l a n d forces to w i t h s t a n d complete a i r s u p e r i o r i t y of the k i n d w h i c h
t h e G e r m a n s h a d enjoyed in N o r w a y . T h i s m a d e it all the more
i m p e r a t i v e to t h e success of our o p e r a t i o n s a t N a r v i k t h a t we should
establish a i r bases in t h a t area, not only for fighters, b u t also for
bombers.
The First Lord of the Admiralty
said t h a t full account h a d
been t a k e n by the Service D e p a r t m e n t s of the need for e s t a b l i s h i n g
a i r bases in t h e N a r v i k a r e a .
Discussion as to t h e line to be t a k e n by t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r in
h i s f o r t h c o m i n g S t a t e m e n t in t h e H o u s e of Commons on o p e r a t i o n s
i n N o r w a y is c o n t a i n e d in the S e c r e t a r y ' s S t a n d a r d F i l e of W a r
Cabinet Conclusions.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h e above s t a t e m e n t s .
Italy: probable
intentions.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 8.) '
Attitude of
Italian Press.
4. 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. 437 D I P P . d a t e d 30th A p r i l , 1940, from H i s
M a j e s t y ' s C h a r g e d'Affaires, Rome, r e p o r t i n g t h a t , i n a conversation
w i t h L a d y A b i n g d o n on the 2 8 t h A p r i l , C o u n t C i a n o h a d seemed
a n x i o u s t o know w h a t effect I t a l i a n P r e s s p r o p a g a n d a w a s h a v i n g
*
U n i t e d K i n g d o m , a n d h a d seemed relieved w h e n he h a d been
told t h a t it w a s c a u s i n g annoyance r a t h e r t h a n a n g e r ; he h a d told
L a d y A b i n g d o n t h a t we should n o t t a k e t h i s p r o p a g a n d a too
seriously, a n d h a d added t h a t he h a d e x p l a i n e d t h e position to
S i r Noel Charles a n d hoped t h a t the B r i t i s h E m b a s s y u n d e r s t o o d .
n
t n e
The W a r C a b i n e t took note of the above s t a t e m e n t .
Italy.
Naval
dispositions
in the
Mediterranean.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 10.)
Italian liner
Rex.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 9.)
5. The First Lord of the Admiralty
s a i d t h a t H . M . S . Royal
Sovereign a n d H . M . S . Malaya, w i t h t h r e e F r e n c h b a t t l e s h i p s a n d a
destroyer escort, w e r e now on t h e i r w a y to A l e x a n d r i a a n d h a d t h a t
m o r n i n g been r e p o r t e d well east of M a l t a .
The supply s h i p H . M . S . Resource h a d been o r d e r e d from M a l t a
to A l e x a n d r i a to assist the F r e n c h in c e r t a i n r e p a i r s w h i c h w e r e
needed t o t h e i r three b a t t l e s h i p s .
T h e I t a l i a n liner Rex h a d been r e p o r t e d to h a v e sailed for
New York.
A n u m b e r of s u b m a r i n e s h a d a r r i v e d a t the h e a d of t h e Suez
C a n a l from t h e C h i n a S t a t i o n .
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 .
The
Mediterranean.
6. The Prime
Minister
r e a d t e l e g r a m No. 280 from our
A m b a s s a d o r in C a i r o . H e p r e s u m e d t h a t S i r M i l e s L a m p s o n ' s
s t a t e m e n t t h a t the A d m i r a l t y w e r e closing t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n t o
Protection of
British shipping. other t h a n m a i l steamers w a s n o t t r u e , a n d t h a t t h e s h i p m e n t of
m u n i t i o n s to E g y p t h a d not been cancelled.
(Previous
Reference:
The Secretary of State for War confirmed t h a t all s h i p s w i t h
W.M. (40) 106th
m i l i t a r y stores for the M i d d l e E a s t were c o n t i n u i n g to proceed
Conclusions,
t h r o u g h the M e d i t e r r a n e a n .
Minute 2.)
The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs
suggested t h a t i t
might be wise to balance the s t a t e m e n t w h i c h h a d a p p e a r e d in the
P r e s s t h a t m o r n i n g as to diversion of s h i p p i n g from the M e d i t e r ­
r a n e a n , by a f u r t h e r s t a t e m e n t on N a v a l d i s p o s i t i o n s . T h i s s t a t e ­
ment w o u l d say t h a t , owing to heavy G e r m a n n a v a l losses, t h e
balance of n a v a l s t r e n g t h between t h e Allies a n d G e r m a n y h a d been
g r e a t l y altered, a n d t h a t w e w e r e n o w able to r e v e r t to our n o r m a l
Fleet dispositions.
The W a r Cabinet agreed—
T h a t a s t a t e m e n t on these lines s h o u l d form p a r t of t h e
s t a t e m e n t on t h e g e n e r a l s i t u a t i o n to be m a d e by the P r i m e
M i n i s t e r . [See M i n u t e 3 (Confidential A n n e x ) . ]
U.S.S.R.
Trade
negotiations.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 6.)
7. The Secretary
of State for Foreign
Affairs
said t h a t
M r . A t t l e e h a d a s k e d w h e t h e r h e could p u t d o w n a P r i v a t e Notice
Q u e s t i o n t h a t a f t e r n o o n on t h e subject of t r a d e n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h
Soviet R u s s i a . H e h a d been told t h a t t h i s w a s n o t possible, b u t
a r r a n g e m e n t s h a d been m a d e for h i m to see M r . R. A . B u t l e r d u r i n g
t h e a f t e r n o o n . T h e Soviet p r o p o s a l s w e r e b e i n g e x a m i n e d by t h e
D e p a r t m e n t concerned. I f possible, a s t a t e m e n t would be m a d e i n
the H o u s e of Commons t h e following day.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h e above s t a t e m e n t .
8. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
said t h a t a t a n
i n t e r v i e w the p r e v i o u s day, M . Colban, t h e N o r w e g i a n M i n i s t e r ,
h a d h a n d e d him a N o t e c o n t a i n i n g t h e t e x t of a t e l e g r a m received
from the N o r w e g i a n M i n i s t e r i n Stockholm, r e p o r t i n g the a r r i v a l
of a considerable n u m b e r of l a r g e G e r m a n s h i p s in the Oslo F j o r d .
M . Colban i n t e r p r e t e d t h i s as i n d i c a t i n g t h e likelihood of a G e r m a n
W.M. (40) 100th a t t a c k u p o n Sweden.
xhe First Lord of the Admiralty
said t h a t h i s n a v a l a d v i s e r s
Conclusions,
w e r e opposed to t h e d e s p a t c h of s u r f a c e w a r s h i p s to the S k a g e r r a k ,
Minute 4.)
i n view of the r i s k of a i r a t t a c k . H e a g r e e d w i t h t h i s view.
S u b m a r i n e s could be o p e r a t e d i n t h i s a r e a , b u t w i t h t h e full moon
s u b m a r i n e a c t i o n h a d h a d to be r e d u c e d . P e r s o n a l l y , he saw no
g r e a t objection to t h e G e r m a n s t y i n g u p c o n s i d e r a b l e m i l i t a r y forces
i n N o r w a y now t h a t w e d i d n o t i n t e n d to c a r r y o u t a m a j o r
c a m p a i g n on t h a t f r o n t , p r o v i d e d t h a t they could be p r e v e n t e d f r o m
occupying Narvik.
Sweden.
Danger of
German
invasion.
(Previous
Eef erence:
I n r e p l y to a q u e s t i o n by t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r , the Chief of the
Imperial
General Staff said t h a t even if t h e G e r m a n s forced t h e
Swedes to allow t h e m to t r a n s p o r t t r o o p s n o r t h w a r d by r a i l t o a t t a c k
N a r v i k or to seize G a l i v a r e , t h e r a i l w a y f a c i l i t i e s were n o t sufficient
to enable a n a r m y of a n y considerable size t o be m a i n t a i n e d .
T h e W a r C a b i n e t took note of t h e above discussion.
Germany:
possible
intentions.
(Previous
Eef erence:
W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 8.)
Belgium.
Invasion of Great Britain. (Previous Eef erence: W.M. (40) 108th
Conclusions,
Minute 4.)
9. The Prime
Minister
d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e following
t e l e g r a m s , which c o n t a i n e d w a r n i n g s as to G e r m a n y ' s i n t e n t i o n s :—
(a) T e l e g r a m No. 440 D I P P , d a t e d t h e 30th A p r i l , 1940, from
t l i s M a j e s t y ' s C h a r g e d'Affaires, R o m e :—
S i r Noel C h a r l e s r e p o r t e d t h a t , a c c o r d i n g to a
reliable i n f o r m a n t j u s t r e t u r n e d from B e r l i n , t h e
G e r m a n s h a d m a d e all p r e p a r a t i o n s for an almost
i m m e d i a t e a t t a c k on B e l g i u m a n d L u x e m b u r g .
The
dates m e n t i o n e d w e r e the 1st a n d 2 n d M a y , 1940; t h e
i n f o r m a t i o n came in t h e first p l a c e from the U n i t e d
States Military Attache.
(6) T e l e g r a m No. 341 D I P P , d a t e d t h e 3 0 t h A p r i l , 1940, from
H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r , A n k a r a :—
Sir H u g h e Knatchbull-Hugessen reported having
been i n f o r m e d t h a t , a t a recent m e e t i n g in B u d a p e s t of
H u n g a r i a n M i l i t a r y A t t a c h e s , a s t a t e m e n t h a d been
m a d e t h a t t h e G e r m a n s were p r e p a r i n g a vast n u m b e r
of a i r c r a f t for dive-bombing a n d g r o u n d a t t a c k , a n d a
large number of small s u b m a r i n e s , of w h i c h p a r t s w e r e
being m a n u f a c t u r e d i n different p a r t s of G e r m a n y ; w i t h
these t h e G e r m a n s i n t e n d e d to make a g r e a t combined
a t t a c k on the H o m e F l e e t ; a f t e r t h i s a t t a c k they i n t e n d e d
to l a n d 25,000 men i n E n g l a n d .
The
Netherlands.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M. (40) 96th
Conclusions,
Minute 7.)
(c) T e l e g r a m No. 178 D I P P , d a t e d the 30th A p r i l , 1940, from
H i s M a j e s t y ' s M i n i s t e r , B e l g r a d e :—
M r . Campbell r e p o r t e d t h a t the Y u g o s l a v G e n e r a l
Staff h a d t h a t day i n f o r m e d the A s s i s t a n t to t h e N a v a l
A t t a c h e t h a t a reliable source had r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
S.S. Bremen
a n d Europa
h a d been s t a n d i n g by
u n d e r steam since the 23rd A p r i l a t S t a d e n e a r
H a m b u r g ; there w e r e also l a r g e troop c o n c e n t r a t i o n s a t
S t a d e ; a n d i t was believed t h a t the G e r m a n object w a s
to seize the N e t h e r l a n d i s l a n d s from Texel e a s t w a r d s .
W i t h these r e p o r t s m i g h t also be r e a d the s t a t e m e n t i n the p r e v i o u s
d a y ' s D a i l y Intelligence R e p o r t t h a t between 12 a n d 18 unidentified
ships a n d also 7 l a r g e ships h a d been observed a t sea.
A record of the subsequent discussion a n d the decision of the
W a r C a b i n e t is contained in t h e S e c r e t a r y ' s S t a n d a r d File of W a r
C a b i n e t Conclusions.
T h e W a r Cabinet took note of the s t a t e m e n t by t h e P r i m e
Minister.
The Balkans.
10.
T h e W a r Cabinet h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e
Probable extent Secretary of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs ( W . P . (40) 140), in w h i c h h e
suggested t h a t a G e r m a n d r i v e i n t o the B a l k a n s , b a c k e d u p by
and effective­
irresistible air forces, m i g h t cause t h e B a l k a n front to collapse. H e
ness of Allied
proposed t h a t t h e Chiefs of Staff should be asked to consider
assistance to
u r g e n t l y w h e t h e r , if such a d r i v e took place, we should be able
Turkey.
effectively
t o deny the S t r a i t s to G e r m a n y .
(Previous
I
n
discussion,
it w a s p o i n t e d out t h a t the T u r k i s h r e s i s t a n c e
References:
W.M. (40) 61st in T h r a c e could h a r d l y be c o m p a r e d w i t h t h a t of t h e N o r w e g i a n s ,
w h i c h h a d proved so ineffective, but t h a t , nevertheless, the effect of
Conclusions,
uncontested a i r s u p e r i o r i t y m i g h t a g a i n prove decisive.
Minute 8, and
I t w a s p o i n t e d out, on the other h a n d , t h a t , if the s i t u a t i o n
W.M. (40) 76th
developed a s suggested, we should by t h a t t i m e be e n g a g e d i n full­
Conclusions,
scale a e r i a l o p e r a t i o n s in t h e W e s t , a n d it w a s unlikely t h a t
Minute 6.)
G e r m a n y could s u s t a i n a great effort t h e r e a t the same t i m e as i n t h e
Balkans.
The W a r C a b i n e t I n v i t e d t h e Chiefs of Staff C o m m i t t e e to consider u r g e n t l y
w h e t h e r , in the circumstances set out in the M e m o r a n d u m
by the F o r e i g n Secretary, a n d on t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t I t a l y
w a s hostile, we should be able effectively a n d successfully
to assist the T u r k s , w i t h i n t h e n e x t few months, t o p r e v e n t
t h e G e r m a n s from r e a c h i n g C o n s t a n t i n o p l e a n d t h e
Straits.
Richmond
Terrace, S.W. 1, May 1, 1940.