ARMY AND AIR FORCES AVAILABLE TO MEET THESE THREATS. 9. Taking into consideration the need to provide adequate defence of the NORTHWEST FRONTIER, of internal security and the low state of training and equipment of field formations now in INDIA, it is estimated that the following ground forces could be made available to meet these threats. (a) CEYLON. The forces in CEYLON must be considered as fortress troops which cannot be used to reinforce INDIA should the attack develop against INDIA and not CEYLON. They consist of:- Now. Reinforcements due by Mid-March by April/May 34th Ind. Div. (less One British Bde.Gp. 6th Australian one Bde). Div. (lees one One CEYLON Territorial One East African Bde. Gp) Bde. Bde. One Indian Armd 0ne Fd. Arty Bty. Car Regt. Heavy A.A. 48 guns. Light A.A. 52 guns Three Fighter Sqns. Two Fleet Air Arm One Flying Boat One Torpedo Bomber Sqn. Fighter Sqns. Sqn. One Light Bomber Sqn. One G.R. Sqn. One Flying Boat Sqn. (b) India. The forces in INDIA must be disposed to meet both the threat by sea to the MADRAS area and the threat by land and sea to BENGAL. The whole strength of the forces in INDIA cannot therefore be concentrated against an attack against either of these places. They consist of:- Mid-March Reinforcements due. by April/May by June/July Two Indian Inf. Divs. Heavy A.A. 192 guns 5th British Div. 7Oth British Div. less Light A.A. 286 guns Two Indian Armd one Bde. Group Bdes. Heavy A.A. guns 88 Light A.A. guns 87 Four Fighter Sqns. Three Fighter Sqns. Two Light Bomber Sqns. Two Light Bomber Sqns. Five Miscellaneous Sqns Two Medium Bomber Sqns. |