APPRECIATION OF SITUATION REGARDING DEFENCE
           OF RABAUL AND NEW CALEDONIA BY AUSTRALIAN
                        CHIEFS OF STAFF.
 
The following appreciation has been submitted to the
 
Australian Government by the Australian Chiefs of Staff.
 
(1) Fleet Base at Rabaul.
 
1. Three courses of action are open in respect of Pabaul, namely,
 
(a) to reinforce the existing garrison up to the strength of a brigade group;
 
(b) to withdraw the existing garrison and abandon Rabaul;
 
(c) to retain the existing garrison.
 
2. In considering these courses we have had in mind the fact that the existing garrison was
originally despatched to Rabaul to protect the air operational base. In recent months a Joint
United States-Australian project has been agreed to for expanding the de fences of Rabaul to
make it suitable for use as a fleet base for British and American Naval Forces. Time has not
permitted the consummation of this plan, and we are now advised that it is most unlikely that it
will be proceeded with in the near future. The function of the present garrison accordingly
remains the same as that existing when the garrison was first despatched to Rabaul and on this
basis we reject course (a), i.e., reinforcemerit. An additional reason for this conclusion is the very
great difficulties and hazard which would be involved in transporting reinforcements from the
mainland to Rabaul and in maintaining increased forces at that place.
 
3- Dealing with courses (b) and (c) we consider it essential to maintain an advanced observation
line to give the earliest possible indication of an enemy move to the South. We must therefore rule
out any question of withdrawal. In coming to this conclusion we are also influenced by the
difficulties of sea