ADMIRAL POUND said that certain officers bringing full information
on reinforcements and shipping programs were expected to arrive from
the United Kingdom on the following day. He thought that the Joint
Planning Committee should then be in a position to examine the three
main problems which were confronting us in the near future namely.
 
a. Northwest Africa Project. b Relief of British Garrisons in Northern
Ireland and Iceland.
             c. Reinforcements for the Far East and consequent
replacements in the Middle East.
 
He thought that there were two cases which should be considered.
First, one should assume that reinforcements to the Far East must be
given priority; to what extent then must the gaps in the Middle East be
filled, and could theNorthwest Africa project be carried out?
Alternatively, supposing the Northwest Africa project had to be carried
out by i~v. itation in the immediate future what would happen to the
rest of the program?
 
                 ADMIRAL STARK said that with the Naval resources at
present available, it did not appear possible to undertake anything
which involved opening
up a new convoy route.
 
REAR ADMIRAl TURNER said that the Joint Planning Committee felt the
Northwest Africa project should be considered under more realistic
hypotheses. Guidance from the Chiefs of Staff was required on this
point. It should be realized that entry into French North Africa was
only possible through Casablanca, which was a good but small port. The
maximum rate at which forces
could be disembarked was that given in the report, and this would be
inadequate if opposition was likely to be met.
 
                 ADMIRAL STARK thought that the Joint Planning
Committee should.consider what could be done in French North Africa if
the situation was different
from that assumed in the present report.
 
                 After further discussion, it was agreed that the Joint
Planning Committee should be instructed to examine the questions in
view of the discussion which had been raised.
 
                 GENERAL MARSHALL asked-- on the assumption that it
would be impossible to enter Morocco under resistance and the Germans
moved through Spain-what would be the next move?
 
ADMIRAI POUND replied, the occupation of the Canaries.
 
(At this point Admiral King entered the meeting).
 
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