Text Version


                         WAR DEPARTMENT
                  OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
                           WASHINGTON
 
 
                                   December 26, 1941.
 
 
 
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:
 
                Subject:  North Africa.
 
          Assumptions: The French will invite the United States and Great 
Britain jointly to occupy and defend North Africa.
 
                          U. S. Forces
 
        The United States is prepared to embark the following forces 
for movement to Casablanca:
 
         a. One Marine Division, combat loaded, (11,000 men). 
Shipping is immediately available to move 2/3 of the divi-
sion on 10 days' notice. Shipping will be available for 
the entire division on or about January 15.
 
         b. Two pursuit groups (160 planes), one light bombard-
ment group (57 planes) and one medium bombardment group (57 
planes), (12,000 men). Units will be equipped by January 15 
and can be ready to embark ten days thereafter. Twenty days 
will be required to collect and prepare the necessary com-
mercial shipping after the decision to do so is made.
 
         c. One Infantry Division, reinforced, (21,000 men). 
Units can be ready to embark on ten days' notice. Twenty 
days will be required to collect and prepare the necessary 
commercial shipping.
 
         d. One armored division, (13,000 men). The Division 
will be supplied with the necessary ammunition, (37mm and 
.50 caliber in particular), by February 18. Ships utilized 
for Marine division should be available for the armored 
division 45 days from date of initial sailing. Units can 
be ready to embark on ten days' notice after February 15.
 
The antiaircraft units are to be supplied by the British.
 
                              -1-
 
 
View Original View Next Page Return to Folder IndexReturn to Box Index