Letter from Joseph P. Walshe to John W. Dulanty (London) concerning
the defence of Shannon airport
(Secret)

Dear John,

When talking to Maffey about a fortnight ago, I asked him on behalf of G.H.Q. authorities to put the following list of requirements to the Air Ministry for the defence of Rynana¹:-

2 Squadrons of Fighter aircraft.
16 Bofors A.A. Guns.²
10 tons of Gun Cotton.
1 Squadron of Armoured Cars or Armoured Carriers.
84 Bren Guns.
6 Heavy Mortars.
72 Thompson or other sub-machine guns.

The Air Ministry want to use Rynana for their land 'planes on the link service for the flying boats to Lisbon. I informed Maffey that we should be ready to open the aerodrome at present encumbered for defence purposes, if we received the aforesaid material. Maffey told me that he had put the request before the Air Ministry during his visit just at that time. Will you please try to get an answer out of them as soon as possible?

We hear from very many sources that the British Army authorities are in favour of our getting adequate arms of all kinds for the defence of our territory. The same is true of the British Navy. Of the politicians who count, Churchill alone is said to oppose. With things at that stage, can you think of any way of bringing pressure to bear on Churchill through the Service people?