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/VO KLY.

TO BE KEPT UNDER

It is requested that special care may be taken to

ensure the secrecy of this document.

се 264

(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).

SECRET. This docens Aerodat

0.0.S.(41) 753.

23RD DECEMBER, 1941.

COPY NO.

33

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE,

AUSTRALIA AND THE FAR EAST

Note by the Secretary.

The attached telegram from Mr. Curtin to the Prime Minister is circulated for consideration by the Chiofs of Staff •undar Thim . of 'thulo mueting on Wednesday morning, 24th December, 1941.'

Great George Street, S.Wels,

(Signed)

C.R. PRICE.

d

was considered at C.0.5 (41) 33 Meeting.

Min 5.

* Annex.

23RD DECEMBER, 1941

This do

.A

ANNEX,

JA VŠ rumeno, manda

Copy of telegram dated 23rd December, 1941 from Mr. Curtin to the Frime Minister.

(Prime Minister's Personal Telegram

Serial No. T. 1058.)

JOHCU. No. 11.

With reference to my telegram of 20th December. Johcu No. 10 and Dominions Office telegrams Nos, 861 and 862 the Army authorities have received reply from the Commander-in- Chief, Far East, regarding BENNETT'S requces for reinforcement. Commander-in-Chief has asked for Australian personnel to man the light tanks being sent from India,

War Cabinet has approvod of the despatch of 400 members of the armoured division subject to satisfactory arrangements being made by the Navy for transport and adequate escort. This is also to apply to the despatch of reinforcements for the maintenance of the Australian Imperial Forces already in Malaya,

It is essential that the tanks should be available on the arrival of the personnel, as it is desired that they should be used in the role for which they have been trained, This additional force is provided on the definite understanding that the other measures recommended for the strengthening of the defence of Malaya are also taken.

5

We are particularly concerned with intelligence reports regarding they types of aircraft possessed by the Japanese and their superior performance to British types. This has, no doubt, come to your notice? It appears imperative that fighter reinforcements should be of types that will rectify our present inferiority.

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