ANNEX 1
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT'
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Subject' Utilization of U.S. Forces in Australia.
1. U.S. combat troops now in Australia and expected there at approxima. te dates indicated-
a. Now present'
18 pursuit planes
52 dive bombers
Elements of 2 regiments of 75 min. artillery, (28 of its
48 guns are present The 20 others are on a slow boa. t which left Samoa December :[8). 0nly 500 rounds of 75 ~n. ammunition available until about January 8, when 5,000 rounds will arrive at Brisbane.
b_. Expected soon'
(1) 55 pursuit planes and crews (about January 8).
(2) To begin arriving in theater on or about January 3; three
heavy bombers per day until a total of eighty is as-
sembled. These planes are now directed to report to
General MacArthur for orders upon arrival at Bangalore.
For operations Of the immediate future~ there is an
adequate number of 500 lb. and smaller bombs~ as we'll
as 56- 1000 lb. bombs on the convoy now proceeding
from Brisbane to Port Darwin. Already at Darwin are
560 of the 500 lb type~ with 260 at Port Moresby.
(3) 55 pursuit and crews~ about January 16.
(4) 70 pursuit planes and crews, about January 18. (It is
possible that capacity of ship Will'be found to be 40
planes) .
(5) A pursuit group~ complete as to materiel, including 80
planes~ will leave San Diego on the KITTY HAWK about
January 10. Additional ships will be necessary for
the personnel.
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