United States-British Chiefs of Staff, Proceedure for Assumption of Command by General Wavell, January 10, 1942

U. S. SECRET
BRITISH MOST SECRET
 
         8.    Neither the Dutch nor the Australian Government has yet
agreed to the directive~ though their objections are mainly to the
machinery of control laid down in Annex (ii) rather than to the
directire i tself~ The discussions which are proceeding with those
Governments may of course be successfully con.cluded before it becomes
necessary to promulgate the date of General Wavell's appointment; but
even if they are not~ we do not think there need be any delay on that
account, We suggest that General Wavell's appointment should be
promulgated as soon as he reports he is ready~ and that he should then
be instructed to carry on~ pending the final confirmation of his
directire.
 
        9,    We accordingly propose that the following action should
be taken as soon as General Wayell reports the date on which he will be
ready to assume command' -
 
            a.. His Majesty's Government should make a communication in
the terms of Annex A to the Governments of the United States, The
Netherlands~ Australia, New Zealand~ India, and China,
 
           b.    His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom should
telegraph to General Wayell in the terms of Annex B,.
 
             c.    On receipt of the communication mentioned in _a
above~ the Governments of the United States~ The Netherlands, and
Australia should at once notify their local Commanders of the date of
the assumption of command by General Wavell~ and should give any
necessary consequential instructions so that the system planned for the
ABDA Area can become effective.
 
            d,    The terms of the directire for General Wavell~
including Annex
        (ii)~~ should be settled as soon as possible~ and the outcome
notified to all concerned.
 
       10.    We propose to telegraph home in the terms of Annex C to
secure the assent of the Dutch and Australian Governments tu this
procedure
 
(Signed)         ~)UDLEY POUND,
                 J. G, DILL,
                 C~ PORTAL,
 
Washington~ D. C.
 
        January 10~ 1942~
 
2 "
Text Version
