Help for Spain : inter-departmental correspondence (copy)

              MR. E. A. BELL.	INTERNATIONAL.
SIR WALTER CITRINE.	2ND MAY, 1938.
HELP FOR SPAIN.
From enquiries which have been made, it would appear that the most suitable lorry for the purpose described in the attached letter, i.e. transportation of troops, would be the two ton lorry. The cost of this type of lorry would be £318 with a reduction of 10 per cent on quantities of ten.
It may be said for this that the five ton type would be more suitable, but consideration must be given to the probably bad state of the roads over which army transports would have to move in time of war. From the point of view of mobility, therefore, it would probably be found that the two ton lorry would be more serviceable.
For the purpose of assessing the following figures, it has been assumed that a body of 20,000 men would require transportation; this represents 20 battalions.
The measurements of the two ton lorry are approximately 10 feet long by 6 feet wide, and if one allows 4 square feet for each man, 15 men can be carried in each lorry. This would not allow the men to recline but would give them cramped seating accommodation which could probably be endured for forced journeys, say up to 4 hours.
If, however, the transportation is to be done over short distances, some 25 men could be crowded into each lorry. The number of lorries required for (a) long distances (that is allowing 15 men to each lorry) and (b) for short distances (that is allowing 25 men to a lorry) would be as follows:-
(a) 1,334 lorries at a total net cost of £381,780.
(b) 800 lorries at a total net cost of £229,000.
The above figures only take into account the needs for the transport of personnel. In addition each battalion would require at least 5 lorries for the transport of ammunition, equipment, rations etc., but if one only allows half the number required, it would an addition of 50 lorries at a further cost of £14,300.
SUMMARY.
On the basis of the above figures, therefore, the requirements for the transport of 20,000 men would be as follows: -