ANNEX 1 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT' z 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. - 1 - |