Defence of North Africa and Levant. Note by Secy. (Cancelled 15.11.42)

ANNEX TO: SECRETARY, J.I.C. FROM: F.P.S. Date: 12th November, 1942. DEFENCE OF NORTH AFRICA AND LEVANT. We have been directed as a matter of urgency to prepare an estimate of the minimum forces required to defend the area from CASABLANCA to ALEXANDRETTA including CYPRUS and to protect shipping in the MEDITERRANEAN. 2. Assumptions. (a) Axis forces have been cleared from the whole of North Africa but they retain the islands of SARDINIA, SICILY and CRETE. (b) An adequate force is being held available in French Morocco and Algeria to occupy Spanish Morocco should the need arise but Spain is maintaining her present degree of neutrality and there is no apparent threat to her from the Axis.