J. C. S. Files
Memorandum by the British Chiefs of Staff
secret
C. C. S. 270/14
C. C. S. 270/14
[Cairo,] 6 December 1943.
Development of Facilities in the Azores
- 1.
- Reports from Lisbon indicate that, provided the U. S. are prepared to work under British cover, they will be able to obtain all the essential facilities in the Azores they require for the prosecution of the war.
- 2.
- As regards U. S. operational facilities at Lagens, we would suggest that a formula on the following lines might be acceptable to the Portuguese Government. They might be informed that American operational units in the Azores would be on loan to H. M. G. operating under the command of a British officer from a base under British control.
- 3.
- As regards transit facilities, we recommend that we should await the outcome of Dr. Salazar’s consideration of the American proposal that the U. S. should construct an aerodrome on Santa Maria on behalf of the Portuguese Government. If this is unfavorable, as it may be in view of Dr. Salazar’s insistence on retaining the framework and principles of the British agreement,1 the British should then ask for authority to construct an aerodrome and should use American material and assistance under British cover.
- 4.
- The formula we would suggest for American transit aircraft would be that aircraft in transit through the Azores are controlled by British Air Transport Command. The second airfield, when constructed, would be under British Command, and aircraft using it would fulfill the same conditions as those using Lagens.2
- 5.
- In any case the first step would be a survey of Santa Maria which could be done ostensibly by the British, but with the assistance of the four American officers who remained behind in Terceira, pending further instructions, after completion of work by American survey party recently in that island.
- 6.
- We do not foresee any requirements for two B–24 squadrons in the Azores, or, in fact, for two American squadrons of any type. Our requirement is a total of three squadrons of which two should be British squadrons, and we prefer to retain the two Fortress squadrons now at Terceira. We recommend that the third squadron should be an American B–24 squadron, which would replace the Hudsons now in the Azores. If this is agreed, we could also make the point to Dr. Salazar that the majority of operational units would be British and all under British command.