United States-British Chiefs of Staff, Defense of Island Bases Between Hawaii and Australia, January 13, 1942

of resistance to the Japanese of the French and native troops in New
Caledonia is unknown.        .
 
         6.    The United States is able to provide forces for the
defense of Palmyra~ Christmas~ Canton~ American Samoa~ and Borabora.
 
 7.             New Zealand is :sending most of the personnel needed
for the defense
 of V iti       Levu. The United States already is providing one
pursuit squadron
 and very       considerable quantities of the equipment required for
the F ijis. The
remainder is being supplied from British sources. Most of the equipment
needed will be supplied in the near future.
 
         S.    Although we consider that New Caledonia should be an
Australian responsibility~ we are informed that~ owing to the scarcity
of troops for home defense in the absence of four divisions overseas~
Australia is unable to increase the small garrison of one company now
in New Caledonia within the next six months. Australia is laying
minefields in the approaches to Noumea and
    Tontouta. We consider that it is important to provide more adequate
defenses in the island as early as possible. The only way to do this
would be for the
United States to send the necessary forces. These would~ however~
initially
be at the expense of the ABDA Area. An opinion should also be obtained
from Australia as to the priority for arming the 3700 Free French on
the island. A list has been received of their requirements.
 
REC 0MKENDAT I ONS
 
         9.    a.    That the United States arrange for the local
defense of Palmyra~ Christmas~ Canton~ American Samoa~ and Borabora.
This is now being accomplished.
 
                 b_.    That the Dominion of New Zealand be responsible
for the local defense of the Fiji Islands.
 
                 c.    That the United States assist in providing
equipment and air defenses for the Fiji Islands.
 
                  d.    That the defense of New Caledonia should in
principle be accepted as an Australian responsibility~ but that the
United S~ates should as a temporary measure~ furnish forces as early as
possible for the defense of the island~ immediately after meeting the
emergency in the ABDA Area. The question of arming the Free French
troops should be taken up between the United States and British Staffs
as soon as an opinion has been obtained from Australia as to the
priority.
 
                 e.    Arrangements should be made immediately by the
British with the Free French for the demolitlon~ if necessary, of the
furnaces and power plant
 
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