THE WHITE HOUSE
                                   WASHINGTON
 
 
 
                                        December 19, 1941
 
FIRST PRIORITY OF MILITARY STRATEGY
 
THE DEFENSE OF THE ATLANTIC AREA BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
AND THE UNITED KINGOM
 
       1. How can this be strengthened to make reasonably certain that England certain 
be invaded and that supplies can be assured?
 
                    a. Should we establish at once a bombing unit 
          even of modest proportions in England, which would be 
          the nucleus of a large striking force in the future?
 
                    b. Is it necessary to put ground troops with 
          equipment in England?
 
                    c. Are we going to use American forces entirely 
          in Iceland, thereby relieving trained British troops 
          for other services?
 
                    c. Are we going to discontinue the transfer of 
          American flag ships to the British for use in the 
          Atlantic run and run those ships into England under 
          our own flag?
 
                    e. Should we take over the Atlantic Ferry 
          Service and the operation and defense of the airport 
          at Prestwick so that this be entirely an American 
          enterprise, thereby relieving British pilots and 
          mechanics?
 
                    f. Are we going to place any PBY's in Ireland or 
          England as originally planned as a defense against 
          the approaches to England and the North of Ireland?
 
                    g. Can we induce the South of Ireland to make 
          bases available?
 
                    h. Can we provide airships for transportation 
          between the United States and Foynes?