Cablegram 430 (extract) [1] CANBERRA, 10 July 1941
MOST SECRET MOST IMMEDIATE
Reference your M.140 and 141. [2]
1. NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
Further consideration has been given to plans under which
Commonwealth Government will provide Army units to reinforce Ambon
and Koepang and also an air striking force at Darwin to operate
from advanced bases to be established in collaboration with the
Netherlands East Indies authorities at these localities. [3]
It is considered that authority of Netherlands East Indies should
be obtained for the despatch of these forces as soon as southward
movement is made by Japan. It is also desired that consideration
be given to seeking the concurrence of the Netherlands East Indies
to movement in anticipation of Japanese action. In any event,
authority is desired by Army and Air Force authorities to despatch
advance parties in uniform immediately. [4]
Chief of the Naval Staff [5] is examining the position in regard
to shipping requirements and availability of vessels.
2. R.A.N. SHIPS
The United Kingdom Government will no doubt have prominently in
mind my discussion regarding disposition of R.A.N. ships in event
of war with Japan and your assurance that every endeavour will be
made so to judge the situation that the ships in the
Mediterranean, together with the Australian forces in the Indian
Ocean, are redisposed so as to reach Australian waters, on, or
shortly after, the outbreak of war with Japan. [6]
[matter omitted]
MENZIES
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1 This cablegram embodied decisions made by War Cabinet earlier
the same day (see minute 1176 in AA : A2673, vol. 7). It was
repeated to the N.Z. Govt and to the Legation in Washington as nos
255 and 68.
2 Dispatched 9 July. On file AA : A1608, A41/1/6,v. They dealt
with the likelihood of a Japanese advance and outlined possible
measures to be taken if it were directed southwards.
3For previous consideration of this question, see Documents on
Australian Foreign Policy 1937-49, vol. IV, Documents 366, 40S and
504.
4The U.K. Govt replied on 7 August (cablegram 549 on file AA :
A981,Japan 185B, ii):’We have not so far taken any action to
approach the Netherlands Government further in this matter since
we had felt that it would be useless to approach them with a
specific proposal on the question of reinforcement of Ambon and
Koepang unless we were in a position to deal with a counter
request from the Dutch which they would no doubt make for some
assurance of support in the event of their territory in the Far
East being attacked. As to the question of an assurance please see
my Circular M. 215 of 6th August [Document 34].’
5Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin. From 4 March to 17 July Colvin was
officially on sick leave and Commodore J. W. Durnford was
appointed to act as Chief of Naval Staff. Colvin, however,
continued to fulfil the duties of the position on some occasions.
6 Menzies’s London discussions had arisen out of the Commonwealth
Govt’s dissatisfaction with the imprecision of the naval plan
discussed at the 1940 Singapore Conference. See Documents on
Australian Foreign Policy 1937-49, voL IV, Documents 285, 287,
300, 343, 366-7 and 400.
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[AA : A981, JAPAN 185B, i]
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