The Dutch Minister of Marine declared that Dutch are now patrolling Davao--Waigui line and that very little Dutch land and air strength was available for defense of Northern Sumatra since it is now employed in Java and around the Java Sea. They have about two hundred fighter planes around the Java Sea. The British stated that the immediate need in Malay Peninsula is for fighters and medium bombers, and emphasized the necessity of fighter umbrellas. A staff representative from British War Office said that the indications from the Malaya front seemed to indicate that the Japs had driven two wedges through the three brigades defending the Kedar sector. He stated that Kota Bharu did not present any particular difficulties, that at present there were no signs of enemy landings further down the eastern coast of Malaya, nor had any further information been received of the reported presence of large Japanese convoy off Indo-Chinese Coast. All parties to the conference agree that if practicable anAllied Naval and Air offensive delivered promptly and unexpectedly at this time would upset Japanese present plans and prove of great benefit. Spenavo recmmends that a vigorous attack by Russian planes and submarines and by U.S. planes basing on Eussian fields would be of great assistance if such action by Russia would not reduce their European strength. Page 2 of 2 |