U.S.
BRITISH
 
U.S. ABC-4/3                                           Washington, D.C.
British WW(JPC)3                                       December 31,
1941
 
 
     The United States and British Chiefs of Staff approved the Joint
Planning Committee
report of December 29, 1941, on "Supporting Measures for the Southwest
Pacific" as appropriate
action to be taken in the interim prior to the establishment of the
unified command of the forces in
that region.
     The United States and British Chiefs of Staff agreed to send
immediately to the United
States and British Commanders-in-Chief in the Far East Area the
following telegram:
     "The genderal strategic policy for operations in the Far Eastern
theater which has been
agreed upon by the U. S. and British Chiefs of Staff is as follows:-
     (a)  To hold the Malay Barrier, definied as the line Malay
Peninsula, Sumatra, Java,           and North Australia, as the basic
defensive position in that theater 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 theater, and        Burma as essential to the support of China,
and to the defense of India.
     (c)  To re-establish communications through the Dutch East Indies
with Luzon and to       support the Philippines' Garrison.
     (d)  To maintain essential communications within the theater.
 
     In disposing of the re-inforcements arriving in that theater, you
should be guided by the
above policy and consider the needs of the theater as a whole.  To this
end, close co-operation
among the British, Dutch and United States Commanders is essential, and
you should continue to
concert measures accordingly.
     British Commander-in Chief, Far East, will inform the Dutch and
request their
cooperation."
 
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