J. C. S. Files

No. 1290
Memorandum by the British Chiefs of Staff1
top secret
C. C. S. 895/1

Participation of Two French Colonial Infantry Divisions in Far Eastern Operations

1.
We have examined the proposals by the United States Chiefs of Staff for the employment of two French colonial infantry divisions in Far Eastern operations, as set out in C. C. S. 895.2
2.
In the light of the discussion at C. C. S. 194th Meeting held on 17 July 1945,3 we suggest it would be preferable for the two French divisions to be employed in due course in French Indo-China.
3.
The question of under whose command this force would operate would, we suggest, be decided in the light of the situation at the time.
  1. Considered by the Combined Chiefs of Staff at their 196th Meeting, July 19. See ante, p. 113.
  2. Document No. 1288.
  3. See ante, pp. 4851.