This article is devoted to highlighting the international problems of the initial period of World War II that arose around the status of Gibraltar and the Canary Islands. Spain maintained military-political neutrality in the war. The countries participating in the armed conflict (USA, Great Britain, Nazi Germany) tried to use the territories belonging to Spain to their advantage. In 1941–1942 the British leadership developed several options for subordinating the Canary Islands to the UK. The article deals with operations Bugler, Chatney, Puma and Pilgrim.
