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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.
It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.
283
SECRET.
C. O. S. (40) 489.
25TH JUNE, 1940.
COPY NO.
WAR CABINET.
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.
Defence of Singapore.
The following copy of a telegram from the Officer Administering the Government of the Straits Settlements to the Secretary of State for the Colonies is circulated for consideration by the Committee.
Richmond Terrace, S.
1.
•
(igned)
L. C. HOLLIS.
ENCLOSURE.
Copy of a Cypher Telegram dated 23rd June, 1940 from the Officer Administering the Government of the Straits Settlements to the Secretary of State
for the Colonies.
Grateful if views of Chiefs of Staff can be sent urgently regarding the following conflicting of opinion between the General Officer Commanding Malaya and the Air Officer Commanding Far East. Briefly the Air Officer Commanding wishes aerodromes particularly in the north to be held by ground troops while the General Officer Commanding maintains that apart from volunteers troops can only be supplied by depleting Singapore and Johore garrisons which he cannot consent to do. These are the A.0.C. own words:·
General Officer Commanding informs us that in the present cirucmstances and with existing resources he estimates that Singapore Island can resist direct attack from the sea but would fall (1) in a few hours if direct attack from the sea succeeded (2) under attack via Johore
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