of the war .in your Area,is to maintain initially the strategic
defensive. The ABDA GOvernments intend to provide immediate
reinforcements for defense. As
    additional forces become available, it w. ill become possible to
take the offen-
z sire and ultimately to .conduct an all-out offensive against 'Japan.
'The ‚irst 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. Although your
operations in the near future must be primarily for defense, they
should be so conducted as to further preparations for that 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 forthe Area, 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
Area.
 
          7.        DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND. AUTHORITY OF ....
THE SUPREME COMMANDER. -
 
           z
,                 .
                    You will coordinate in the ABDA Area the 'strategic
operations of all
 armed forces of the ABDA G0vernments; assign them strategic missions
and ob-
jectives~ where desirable, arrange for the formation of task forces,
whether
.national or international, for the execution of specific operations;
and ap-
 point any officer, irrespective ofseniority or nationality, to command
such
 task force~.
 
         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
admfnistrative 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 commandsuch reports as you deemnecessaryin the
discharge
 of your responsibilities as Supreme Commander.
 
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