You will be aware of our agreement to the dispatch of the 6th and 7th Australian Divisions together with Corps troops and maintenance and base organisations from the Middle East to the Netherlands East Indies.

I continued to reassure the Australian Government and explain more fully our motives in the policy of the united command of the Southeast Asia theatre. On the eve of my departure from Washington I summed up our position.

Prime Minister to

14 Jan. 42

Prime Minister of

Australia

I do not see how any one could expect Malaya to be defended once the Japanese obtained the command of the sea and while we are fighting for our lives against Germany and Italy. The only vital point is Singapore Fortress and its essential hinterland. Personally, my anxiety has been lest in fighting rearguard actions down the peninsula to gain time, we should dissipate the force required for the prolonged defence of Singapore.

Out of the equivalent of four divisions available for that purpose, one has been lost and another mauled to gain a month or six weeks’ time. Some may think it would have been better to have come back quicker with less loss.

2. It is clearly our duty to give all support to decisions of the Supreme Commander. We cannot judge from our distant post whether it is better to fight on the northwestern side of the peninsula at some risk to Mersing, or whether all troops should now withdraw into the island fortress. Personally, I believe Wavell is right, and that view is supported by the Chiefs of Staff. I feel sure that you will agree to most of this.

The Hinge of Fate

27

3. I have great confidence that your troops will acquit themselves in the highest fashion in the impending battles. Everything is being done to reinforce Singapore and the hinterland. Two convoys bearing the 4th Indian Brigade Group and its transports have got through, and a very critical convoy containing the leading brigade of the British 18th Division is timed to arrive on 13th. I am naturally anxious about these 4500

men going through the Straits of Sunda in a single ship.

I hope however they will arrive in time to take their stand with their Australian brothers. I send you the full details of what we have on the move towards this important battlefield, with the dates of arrival. There is justification in this for Wavell’s hope that a counter-stroke will be possible in the latter part of February.

4. You are aware, no doubt, that I have proposed your withdrawal of two Australian divisions from Palestine to the new theatre of so much direct interest to Australia. The only limiting factor on their movement will be the shipping. We shall have to do our best to replace them from home.

5. I do not accept any censure about Crete and Greece. We are doing our utmost in the Mother Country to meet living perils and onslaughts. We have sunk all party differences and have imposed universal compulsory service, not only upon men, but women.