Op-12-D-LED/hjw
 
                                   To do this satisfactorily, in an
effort to win the war, it is my considered opinion
that the following procedure be carried out, with
minor changes.
 
                                   (a) Escort groups to consist of 1 
capitol ship, at least 3 - 1500 ton destroyers and 
3 - 1200 ton destroyers, and 1 escort vessel (air-
craft) with fighter planes attached.
 
                                   (b) Air escort group to consist of
from 5 to 6 patrol planes to be over or ahead of the 
convoy at all times when in waters where enemy sub-
marines and aircraft are to be expected. In addition 
each escort group should have an escort vessel (air-
craft) with fighter planes available for use over con-
voy to dispose of enemy long range bombers when sight-
ed.
 
                                   Air escort to cover such areas ahead, 
abeam and astern before dark, so that no submarine will 
be likely to get in attacks during night.
 
                                   Air escort to keep enemy submarines
down and enemy aircraft away from convoy; so that posi-
tion of convoy cannot be reported.
 
                                   (c) In addition to the escort groups,
a force of surface ships and planes should be available 
as a striking group to attack enemy submarines and air-
craft whose position is known within reasonable limits 
either by radio direction finder, having been sighted 
by surface ships or aircraft, or by ships having been 
attacked.
 
                                   (d) Convoys should consist of about
20 ships, all ships having approximately the same speed.
 
                                   (e) Convoys should be assembled in    
U.S. Ports and Halifax, and proceed directly from
these ports to the Northwestern approaches to the                                       
British Isles by the most direct route. Routes to                                       
be varied from time to time.
 
                                   (f) Merchant ships should not be     
allowed to travel independently unless they have more                                   
speed than any enemy raider  movable to be at large. It                                  
may be necessary to furnish escort ships for indivi-
dual fast merchant ships.                                     
 
                                   (g) Planes and ships should be based
on Iceland to attack any submarines or planes reported
in the yicinity.
 
 
                                   - 4 -