220
18.
GARRISON FOR HONG KONG
X
THE COMMITTEE considered a telegram from Admiral sent off from the Mountbatten, in reply to an enquiry Chiefs of Staff two days previously, stating that No. 3 Commando Brigade could be made available to reach Hong Kong on about 5th September provided approval for this operation was received early on Tuesday, 21st August. telegram gave the implications in S.E.A.C. of diverting this commando brigade to Hong Kong.
The
It was agreed that the implications of this move in S.E.A.0. could be accepted and that Admiral Mountbatten should proceed with the despatch of this commando brigade to Hong Kong as soon as possible.
THE COMMITTEE:-
Instructed the Secretary to send an
immediate reply to Admiral Mountbatten informing him that his proposal to send No. 3 Commando Brigade to Hong Kong at once was approved.
X SEACOS 446
+
COSSEA 321 COSSEA 326
19.
SURRENDER OF JAPANESE IN NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
X
from Admiral THE COMMITTEE considered a telegram Mountbatten reporting that General MacArthur had requested him to arrange with the Commanding General, Australian forces, the respective areas within which they should receive the surrender of Japanese forces. Major-General Harrison, head of the S.E.A.C. mission to Australia, had been instructed to discuss this question with the
Admiral Mountbatten added that Australian Chiefs of Staff. the Dutch authorities had repeatedly represented their desire to have to deal with only one theatre commander for the Netherlands East Indies.
In discussion, the view was expressed that Admiral Mountbatten was unlikely to have forces available to accept the Japanese surrender throughout the Netherlands East Indies and that it would therefore probably be better to let the Australians deal with Borneo and the islands to the east of it and for Admiral Mountbatten to deal only with Java and Sumatra.
X SEACOS 447
-10-