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Page 1
Copy.
First Sea Lord.
The Aerodrome at Bardufoss and Skaanland should be rendered unusable for three or four months by means of delay action bombs buried in different parts of the Aerodrome. Have we got these bombs? And can they be sent to Lord Cork in time? This ought to have been thought of before. The greatest importance is attached to the operation 'Paul'. Pray let me have a report of how this is progressing, and when it is intended to begin.
(Intld) W.S.C.
6.6.40 (Original sent to First Sea Lord; copy to First Lord)
Reference ADM 199/1930
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Page 2
Prime Minister
(Copy to First Lord)
When Operation "Paul" was originally designed there were no Germans in Norway at all, and it would therefore have been possible to operate the Carriers as close in shore as we wished. Even when we knew that the Germans were in occupation of aerodromes on the coast of Norway it did not appear that this would prevent Operation "Paul", as it was hoped the range of the machines would be sufficient to enable the Carriers to operate at a safe distance from the coast.
As will be seen from the attached report which I sent to the Chiefs of staff, it will not be possible now and it will be necessary for the Carriers to operate from Vest Fjord. The Chiefs of Staff are considering this, and also an alternative scheme for working from Petsamo area.
I think their conclusion will be that to endeavour to carry out the Operation from the Carriers in Vest Fjord is really not practicable, as it will almost certainly result in the loss or damage of both Carriers to such an extent that the machines could not land on their return and would all be lost.
It was originally our intention to carry out the Operation before we evacuated Narvik, but this had to be abandoned owing not only to the employment of the carriers but also to the report that Lulea would not be ice-free until the middle of June.
It is stated in paragraph 11 of the attached report that the present arrangement is for preparation to be made for Operation "Paul" on a full scale.
I am of the opinion, however, that the operation should now be confined to mining the channels where a "block" will occur if a ship is mined there. For the above 18 mines would be required. Having flown off the 18 machines the Carrier would clear out and the 18 machines would make a forced landing in the sea at prearranged rendez-vous and the crews be picked up by small craft, the machines being abandoned.
The latest news about ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia is that small coasting steamers reached Lulea on the 31st May, and that it is anticipated ore ships will reach there shortly. We know that a certain number of ore ships have been sailed for Lulea from Germany, but they may be working up North as the ice clears ready to enter Lulea as soon as the conditions are favourable. So far as is known at present no ore ships have actually reached Lulea.
As regards aerodromes, Lord Cork has reported that Bardufoss is required by the Norwegians.
The greatest delay action bomb we have is for 36 hours.
D.P.
6th June, 1940.
Ref: ADM 199/1930
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Pages 3 and 4 (handwritten)
TO: C****** 493 V.A.A. 324
FROM: Admiralty
(i) Preparations are to be put in hand for carrying out operation PAUL as soon as possible on completion of operation "alphabet" using "ark Royal" and "Furious". (ii) Following squadrons will be available, 800 803 810 820, all already embarked, 821 ex HATSTON, and 812 816 and 818 at present operating under Coastal Command, The fighters are for carrier protection. (iii) Mines and aircraft will be embarked at Clyde except for 821 Squadron which will be embarked from Hatston. (iv) Plan is to be modified as follows: (a) Torpedoes are not repetition not to be used (b) fighters will not repetition not accompany TSRs (c) Pamphlets not repetition not to be dropped. (v) Further signal follows regarding 812 816 and 818 Squadrons
1528
Cyphering or Coding: 51.5 / Flag Officer / Time of Receipt in Cypher or Coding Office 1655 / Date: 5/6
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Pages 5 & 6 (handwritten)
Intercept group: AIDAC
To: C.M.C.H.F. (532) (R) V.A.A. (328)
From: Admiralty
***0043 Part 1. The greatest importance is attached to operation PAUL
but as -
(i) No (repetition No) aerodrome will be available in Norway,
(ii) the radius of action when working from a Carrier of Swordfish with extra tanks has proved to be 250 miles,
(iii) There is a great risk to carriers if they remain for several hours off Norwegian Coast,
This operation should be carried out as soon as possible after completion of ALPHABET.
If V.A.A. after recent experience in Norway considers ARK ROYAL can maintain a position which will enable returning aircraft to land on ship request you amend paragraphs 3(b) and (c) accordingly.
0043/8
51.5 Book or Table to be used for Cyphering or Coding: Naval/ Recyphering or Recoding: D/ Initials of Cyphere or Coder: *** / Time of Receipt in Cypher or Coding Office 0447 / Date: 8/6
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Page 7 (handwritten)
INTERCEPT GROUP AIDAC
FRM: Admiralty
***0043. Part 2.
(a) 18 aircraft equipped with mines to fly off ARK Royal in vicinity of VEST FJORD.
(b) ARK ROYAL then to return to westward at full speed.
(c) Aircraft, after laying their mines, to land in sea at various points off coast of Norway where small caft would be in attendance.
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Page 8 (handwritten)
Originators Instructions: (Indication of Priority, Personal, NOTWT For Exercise). : AIDAC
To: C.in C.H.F. (543) (R) VAA (332)
From: Admiralty
***0043/8th June. Additional copies of plan for distribution to V.A.A. are being forwarded to Scapa for onward transmission at first opportunity.
In view of reduced scale of operation the following fields whose positions are shown in appendix 6 are to be laid.
A for APPLES 1 and 2.
B for BUTTER 5.
Too 1659/8
51.5 Book or Table to be used for Cyphering or Coding: Naval/ Recyphering or Recoding: D/ Initials of Cyphere or Coder: *** / Time of Receipt in Cypher or Coding Office 2033 / Date: 8/6
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Page 9
MOST SECRET.
AIR ATTACK ON LULEA. References. C.B. 1817 Chart No.2302 - Gulf of Bothnia - Tomsvarten to Taunvonsaari. Chart No.F.0199 - Plans of the Gulf of Bothnia - Lulea. Chart No.2282 - The Greenland and Barants Sea.
Appendices.
Appendix I. Complement of aircraft in carriers taking part.
Appendix II. Typical programme of operation (3 carriers).
Appendix III. Chart No.2282 - Outlines of air routes to Lulea.
Appendix IV. Endurance tables.
Appendix V. Distance tables from aerodromes in N. Norway.
Appendix VI. Chart No.F.0199 showing position of minelaying.
Appendix VII. Chart No.2302 showing position of minelaying.
Appendix VIII. Particulars with regard to mines and torpedoes.
Appendix IX. Proposed wording, in Swedish, of the warning pamphlets to be dropped.
Sofo.
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