Op-12-VED
Serial 078712
 
 
             (c) A new plan, entitled Western Hemisphere 
Defense Plan No. 3, which would involve an "all-out" 
defense of Western Atlantic waters, plus the defense 
of Iceland. Under this plan, we would protect all 
except Axis shipping west of longitude 26[degrees] West, and 
would attack Axis raiders and submarines wherever 
found in these waters. This would involve escorting 
of all convoys bound between North America and the 
United Kingdom, as well as patrolling and covering 
operations for the protection of shipping in the Western 
Atlantic, including the convoys between Freetown and 
the United Kingdom which now move approximately along 
the meridian of 30 [degrees]west. This latter plan has been in 
preparation for the past ten days, and should be ready 
for issue to the Fleet the latter part of this week.
We have discussed this plan with the British Joint Staff 
Mission here in Washington, and have telegraphed it to 
London so that the British Chiefs of Staff could advise 
us on it. The British have expressed full agreement with 
it, except in minor details, and, naturally, desire to 
see it placed in effect. It is the plan which Ambassador 
Winant referred to in his yesterday's dispatch. In 
sending this plan to Ghormley, I advised him as follows:
 
     "You are to state categorically to the Chiefs 
of Staff that there is no present intention of the
United States Government to execute this measure, but 
the Chief of Naval Operations has directed the prepara-
tion of the plan so that the Navy will be ready for 
effective action under all eventualities. The plan
would be considered a preparatory measure for ABC-1 and
would be in general accord with that agreement."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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