Agendum 334/1941 13 October 1941

MOST SECRET

AIR DEFENCE IN FAR EAST-UNITED STATES PROPOSALS
United States Proposals
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs [1], in Cablegram No.

666 of 5th October (copy attached) [2], has advised that the
United States authorities consider that the air defence of the
area Philippines-Australia-Netherlands East Indies-Singapore would
be greatly strengthened if certain operating fields could be made
available to the United States forces with necessary supplies and
equipment including oil and gasoline, bombs, ammunition and
service detachments.

The facilities referred to are desired at Singapore, Rabaul, Port
Moresby and Port Darwin, with advanced distribution point
facilities at Rockhampton. The United States forces to be
stationed at the air fields concerned would be limited to
necessary Service detachments, local defence being provided by the
British or Dutch authorities, as appropriate.

2. The United Kingdom Government welcome the proposal in principle
and ask for early advice as to the attitude of the Commonwealth
Government, also whether we would agree to joint discussions with
the United States Commanding General in the Far East.

Increasing United States Participation in Pacific Defence
3. These proposals are another instance of increasing United
States participation in the defence of the Pacific which, so far
as Australia is concerned, has been exemplified:-

(i) By proposals to assist by supplying equipment and technical
assistance to make Rabaul a well-defended anchorage for possible
use as a base for the American fleet for operation against the
Caroline Islands and Japanese lines of communication passing to
eastward of Philippines. This is the subject of a separate Agendum
(No-333/1941 [3]).

(2) By proposals by the United States Army Aviation authorities to
establish a chain of landing grounds suitable for heavy bombers
between Honolulu and New Zealand, Australia, Malaya and the
Philippines avoiding the mandated area. Information from Australia
was requested about New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Solomon
Islands as well as Australian aerodromes between Noumea and
Darwin. We have undertaken to co-operate in the proposals by
making a reconnaissance and survey of sites in the Solomons, New
Hebrides and New Caledonia. The New Zealand Government and the
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific [4] are also co-
operating on similar lines. [5] Plans and charts of the Australian
aerodromes between Noumea and Darwin have been passed both to the
Australian Minister, Washington, and the United States Commander-
in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. [6]

(3) By flights of United States Army aeroplanes in formations of
increasing size travelling from Honolulu to the Philippines via
Australian territory. The next proposed flight is of 26 aeroplanes
leaving Honolulu about 20th October and stopping at Port Moresby
and Darwin en route to the Philippines.

It will be noted that, in addition to these matters, there is the
wider sphere of American co-operation in the defence of the
Pacific, which has been the subject of Conferences at Singapore
this year and of recent discussions between the United Kingdom and
United States Chiefs of Staff. At the latter, revised plans were
drawn up and copies are expected to arrive in Australia shortly.

[7]

Views of Chiefs of Staff
4. The Chiefs of Staff recommend that the present proposals of the
United States for the use of aerodromes in Australia should be
accepted in principle but point out that many details will have to
be settled when the plans are to hand.

5. It is not possible at this stage to do more than indicate what
commitments are involved so far as Australia is concerned, but on
the information available it appears that:-

(a) it is not likely that additional Military forces will be
needed other than those already proposed in the scheme for the
defence of Rabaul;

(b) slight increases in the length of the runways of the
aerodromes at Moresby and Rabaul will be necessary, but this work
is already in hand;

(c) if the plans envisage the use of the places named as
operational centres, temporary accommodation for personnel and
stores will have to be provided.

It is anticipated that the cost of what is involved will not be
large.

6. In regard to the proposal that Australia should supply oil,
gasoline, bombs and ammunition, it is pointed out by the Chiefs of
Staff that it is probable that the oil and gasoline will have to
come from America, and further that it is not likely that
Australian bombs and ammunition, if otherwise available, would
suit United States requirements.

Cablegram to Dominions Office
7. The following cablegram was despatched to the Dominions Office
on 11th October (No. 670):-

Your telegram No. 666 of 5th October.

1. The Commonwealth Government welcome the United States proposals
in regard to strengthening the air defence of the area
Philippines-Australia-Netherlands East Indies-Singapore. They
accept the proposals in principle and will do everything necessary
to arrange for the facilities required in Australia and its
Territories to be made available as soon as possible.

2. It is necessary to point out, however, that it is not likely
that the Commonwealth Government will be able to supply such items
as oil, gasoline, bombs and ammunition, though they will willingly
arrange for the discussion of all matters of detail between
Service representatives with a view to the most helpful co-
operation.

3. The Commonwealth Government agree to joint discussions with the
United States Commanding General in the Far East on the proposals.

4. This telegram has been repeated to the Australian Minister,
Washington. [8]

Submission to War Cabinet
8. The proposals of the United States regarding air defence in the
Far East as outlined above are submitted for the information of
War Cabinet.

J. CURTIN