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as to their function: nevertheless, it is felt that the very real urgency for attack is not of such a nature as to preclude the drawing up of a careful plan for bombing countermeasures, in order to avoid early diversion of a large scale bombing effort on many targets which are not yet "rips", or which are otherwise unsuitable for attack. The most careful planning is also needed to work out the best methods of bombing attack on these targets. CONCLUSION ON ROCKET THREAT 11. Taking what is considered the most reasonable View of the present information at our disposal, and using the constructional activities in France as a guide, it is thought that the threatened operation against the United Kingdom by long range rocket, as at present apparently planned, could not be mounted until February, even without serious disruption by bombing countermeasures.