u. s. arc-4/c ra~TISH ww-x4 January 13, 1942 JOINT PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT MOVEMENTS AND PROJECTS IN TIIE ATLANTIC THEATER - FOR FIRST HALF OF 1942 1. We have carried out a study of tile relative importance and interrelation of the various military movements and projects which affect the~ Atlantic Theater and which may be required to~ ~ive effect to the agreed Grand Strategy during tile first part of 1942, and submit our conclusions below. MOVEMENTS AND RELIEFS. ICELAND AND IRELAND 2. We consider that the move of' the United States forces into Nortilern Ireland and the relief of tile British Iceland garrison should proceed as expeditiously as possible in order to relieve British Divisions for the replacement of Australian Divisions in the Middle East and to release forces for operations $n French North Africa. ' 3. The movement of United States Army Air Forces to the United Kingdom should proceed as soon as these forces andshipping become available, so as to increase the weight of attack On Germany. RELIEF OF ARUBA AND CURACAO 4. The relief of Aruba and Curacao, subject to Dutch concurrence, is to be completed beforethe end of January. JOINT UNITED STATES -BRITISH OCCUPATION OF ]~-RENCt~ NORTtl AFRICA. 5. We regard this project as of the first strategical~importance in the Atlantic area. We do not, however, possess the resources within the period under consideration to force an entry into French North Africa. We cannot, therefore,initiate this operation unless we are reasonably sure of the assumptions upon which the plan is based, which are' -- I -- |