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ANEX I.

DIRECTIVE TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF,

FAR EAST.

1.HM Government.

123

1. You are appointed Commander-in-Chief, Far East. You will be jointly responsible with Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet, to theõht

Steff for the conduct of our strategy in the Far East, and for the co-ordination of plans with our allies and potential allics in accordance with instructions issued to you from time to time.

H.M. Arvernmente

Steff for

2. You will be responsible to the CTric£s the strategic control of all British land and air forces in Malaya Burma and Hong Kong and for the co-ordination of plans for the defence of these territories.

You will also be responsible for the strategic control of British Air Forces in Ceylon and of the general reconnaissance squadrons of the Royal Air Force which it is proposed to station in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal for ocean reconnaissance in those aroas..

3. For these purposes, the following will be under your command:

4.

General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong. General Officer Commanding, Malaya. General Officer Commanding, Burma. Air Officer Commanding, Far East.

It is intended that you should deal primarily with

It is not matters of major military policy and strategy. the intention that you should assume operational control, or the administrative and financial responsibilities and the normal day to day functions now exercised by the General Officers Commanding and Air Officer Commanding.

These Officers will continue to correspond as at present with the War Office, Air Ministry, Colonial Office and Burma Office, on all matters on which they have hitherto dealt with these departments, to the fullest extent possible consistent with the exercise of your command, keeping you informed as and when you wish.

15.

You will, where appropriate, consult and co-operate with the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies and the Commander-in-Chief in India.

You will also communicate direct with the Defence Departments of the Governments or the Dominions on all routine matters of interest to them, but on matters of major policy you will communicate with Dominion Governments through H.M. Government.

6.

You will, in close collaboration with the Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet:-

(a) Keep the Governor of the Straits Settlements

and High Commissioner for the Malay States, the Governor of Burma and the Governor of Hong Kong closely and constantly informed and consult them as appropriate.

Including the Straits Settlement, the

Federated and unfederated Malay States, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneo.

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