5.        STRATEGIC CONCEPT AND POLICY.-
 
                  The basic strategic concept of the ABDA Governments for the conduct of the war in
your Area is not only in the immediate future to maintain as  many key positions as possible~ but
to take the offensive at the earliest opportunity and ultimately to conduct an all-out offensive
against Japan. The first essential is to gain general air superiority at the earliest possible moment~
through the employment of concentrated air power. The piecemeal employment of air forces
should be minimized. Your operations should be so conducted as to further preparations for the
offensive.
 
          6.     THE GENERAL STRATEGIC POLICY WILL THEREFORE BE:-
 
             a.    To hold the Malay Barrier, defined as the line Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, North
Australia, as the basic defensive position of the ABDA Area, and to operate sea, land, and air
forces in as great depth as possible forward of the Barrier in order to oppose the Japanese
southward advance.
 
            b.    To hold Burma and Australia as essential supporting positions for the Area, and
Burma as essential to the support of China  and to the defense.of India.
 
            c.    To reestablish communications through the Dutch East Indies with Luzon and to
support the Philippines' Garrison.
 
                   d.    To maintain essential conmlunications within the Area.
         
     7. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND AUTHORITY OF THE SUPREME 
          COMMANDER
 
                 You will coordinate in the ABDA Area the strategic operations of all armed forces of
the ABDA Governments; assign them strategic missions and objectives; where desirable,  arrange
for the formation of task forces,  whether  national or international, for the execution of specific
operations; and appoint any officer, irrespective of seniority or nationality, to command such task
forces.
 
8.    While you will have no responsibilities in respect of the internal administration of the
respective forces under your command you are authorized to direct and coordinate the creation
and development of administrative facilities and the broad allocation of war materials.
 
9.    You will dispose reinforcements which from time to time may be dispatched to the Area by
the ABDA Governments.
 
10.    You are authorized to require from the Commanders of the armed forces under your
command such reports as you deem necessary in the discharge of your responsibilities as Supreme
Commander.
                   
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