Reference penultimate paragraph my 176 of 27th March. [1] Lengthy
appreciation of position has now been received from General Blamey
[2] which gives us better understanding of position and makes us
more confident of the outcome.

2. We are seriously disturbed however in regard to the air
strength available and at discrepancies between information
furnished by Blamey and that from yourself and Dominions Office.

3. Dominions Office cable 109 [3] and your 153 of 25th February
[4] both stated that air strength would be fourteen squadrons.

Paragraph ii of Dominions Office cable 165 of 14th March [5]
states British Air Forces then in Greece were seven squadrons plus
certain Greek aircraft with programme of reinforcements increasing
total fourteen squadrons by end of March and further two squadrons
later, while reinforcements via Takoradi would be 80 to 120
aircraft per month expanding as soon as possible. Against this
Blamey states only eight squadrons now in Greece and no
indications of immediate increase. In your M.35 of 29th March 6
you state particular attention being paid to aircraft and
reinforcements going every week.

4. Blamey lays great emphasis on the necessity for more aircraft
and air defences and the following extracts from his cable are
quoted:-

BEGINS-
The first requirement is the earliest provision of adequate air
force and air defence units. Until this is done our Army will be
subject to constant low-flying attacks with serious effect on
morale and loss of confidence in our own air forces. The only fine
of communication available is the railway Athens to Larissa and
thenceforward by road. In both cases there are defiles which can
be subjected to intense air attacks at vital points. Air and
ground anti-aircraft defence hopeless and serious dislocation of
lines of communication likely. Can only be met by building up
reserves in the forward area.

The German Air Force has almost overwhelming superiority. To meet
this we have the most inadequate anti-aircraft defence both ground
and air.

Air Force available: Plan for Lustre envisages 23 squadrons R.A.F.

On 1st April only eight squadrons here and no indications of
immediate increase. Greek Air Force small and composed of many
different types making maintenance difficult. Germany has minimum
of 125 dive bombers and 500 other aircraft now in Bulgaria which
can be increased when capacity of Bulgarian aerodromes improved.

Yugoslavia attaches importance to Salonika and if security our
northern flank assured Australian Corps and New Zealand Division
may be required to move forward later when concentration completed
to the Lake Doiran-Struma River line. This more than ever demands
adequate Air Force. ENDS.

5. Blamey's appeal cannot be allowed to go unheeded and we
emphasize as strongly as we can that the greatest possible effort
be made to provide immediately the air strength envisaged when we
first gave our approval to the venture and for its further
expansion and the provision of air defence units at the earliest
possible date.

6. ARMY UNITS: We appreciate that you are using your fullest
efforts as stated in your M-35 regarding reinforcing the Army
strength. In this connection Blamey strongly urges that the Army
be increased to the limit of the capacity of Greece to contain and
lines of communication from Egypt to Greece to maintain them. He
contends it is not sufficient to have reinforcing formations in
Egypt or Palestine as invaluable movement experience has
illustrated how long it takes to move a small force and all of its
equipment over the comparatively short sea route.

7. Blamey's views are passed to you for discussion with
authorities in London, together with his suggestion regarding the
importance of building up reserves in the forward area in view of
his fears that dislocation of lines of communication in Greece by
superiority of German air attack is probable.