1. Your No. 10. [1] Our Chiefs of Staff have carefully considered
the new proposal as to Portuguese Timor. They advise as follows:-

(1) It should be realised that the defence of Timor as a whole is
closely bound up with the defence of Darwin and the Netherlands
East Indies. The occupation of Timor by Japan would seriously
prejudice the defence of Darwin.

(2) We do not consider that the arrival of 700 Portuguese troops
would constitute an adequate protection of Portuguese Timor nor
could it be so regarded even if the present Dutch and Australian
troops are retained in addition.

(3) The forces now available in both Portuguese and Dutch Timor,
together with the proposed addition of 700 Portuguese, are capable
of keeping out only 'small nibbles' and are not capable of
withstanding any serious Japanese attempt to seize the Island
unless very considerable air forces could be brought immediately
to their aid. Such air forces seem unlikely to be available in the
near future.

(4) The defence problem of Timor as a whole would be very much
facilitated if that portion of the road from Dilli to the Dutch
border, which is now merely a pack track, were converted to a
motor road. This would enable troops to be moved from Koepang to
Dilli by road if the local situation permitted such action.

2. In view of the above, the proposal seems dangerous.

3. Now that Wavell [2] is responsible for area which includes
Timor, his opinion on military aspect should in our view be
immediately obtained and no action should be taken unless he is
prepared to take full responsibility for the risks involved. [3]

CURTIN