NAVAL FORCES BRITISH. Unless there is reason to believe that enemy surface units are loose in the Atlantic, close protection of British convoys by heavy ships or aircraft carriers will not be essential. Protection provided by theHome Fleet watching the northern passages and by Force It in the Gibraltar area should be sufficient. There will probably be 6 British convoys, each divided into a fast and slow portion, sailing from the United Kingdom at about fortnightly intervals. This sunounts to doubling the rate of' sailing of normal United Kingdom to Cape convoys and the extra escorts will have to be withdrawn from trade protection for a considerable period. UNITED STATES. The U.S. Atlantic Pleet will provide appropriate protection and support for the transit and landing of U.S. Expeditionary Forces. AMERICAN CONVOY ESCORTS. _a Advance American Division - One ~larine Division embarked in 15 vessels escorted by units from Task Force Three. b_ Remainder of initial U.S. forces- Three convoys at about one month intervals, escorted by units withdrawn from Task Forces Three and Four. Successive logistic convoys require escorts withdrawn from Task Force Four, TIMINGS. D-1 is the day on which the order is given to mount the expedition. a U. S. FORCES % The U. S. Marine Division could reach Casa- blanca on D-20. b_ BRITISH FORCES The first British convoy could reach Algiers on D .... , or Casablanca on D .... . Subseqt the despatch of the remaining British for, totalling 1 armored and 2 infantry divisi~ ancillary troops would take about another Its movement would therefore be complete ~ -- 4 -- |