Conclusion of Note from General Ismay to the British Cabinet sent on September 20th, 1938 (CAB 21/544)
Transcript
15. The broad conclusions of this Note may be summarized as follows :-
(a) A German absorption of Czechoslovakia will enhance her military prestige, increase her war potential and probably enable her to dispose of stronger land forces against France and ourselves than she can do at present.
(b) So far as air power is concerned, Germany may be able to maintain her lead over the Franco-British Air Forces in air striking power. On the other hand, it is open to us, provided that we make the necessary effort, to catch her up, or at least greatly reduce her lead, in the matter of defence (both active and passive) against air attack. By so doing we shall have heavily insured ourselves against the greatest danger to which we are present exposed: indeed by substantially reducing Germany’s only chance of a rapid decision, we shall have provided a strong deterrent against her making the attempt.
(c) It follows, therefore, that, from the military point of view, time is in our favour, and that, if war with Germany has to come, it would be better to fight her in say 6-12 months’ time, than to accept the present challenge.
3. This is the conclusion of a note from General Ismay to the British Cabinet sent on 20th September 1938, marked ‘Secret’. Ismay was Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence.
- What does General Ismay, writing in September 1938, assume will happen to Czechoslovakia? (Remember that at this time Czechoslovakia was still an independent country which included the Sudetenland)
- What effect does he think the German conquest of Czechoslovakia will have on German military strength?
- Does he recommend that Britain should fight Germany now, or later?
- What are his reasons?
- How might General Ismay’s views affect what Chamberlain did when he met Hitler later, at Munich on 29 September?