For Chief of the Naval Staff [1] from Naval Attache. [2] Tropic
No. 149
New Caledonia. Paper now approved by British and United States
Chiefs of Staff contains inter alia a recommendation as follows:-

'Defence of New Caledonia should, in principle, be accepted as an
Australian responsibility but that United States should, as a
temporary measure, furnish forces as early as possible for defence
of the island, and after meeting the emergency in the A.B.D.A.

area. Question of arming Free French troops should be taken up
between United States and British Chiefs of Staff as soon as
opinion has been received from Australia.'

2. United States Army indicated that above decision means a force
of about 22,000 men including about [7,000] [3] infantry, 900
light field artillery armed with 12 75 mm. guns, 800 medium field
artillery armed with 12 155 mm. Howitzers, 2,000 anti-aircraft
artillery (mobile) armed with 24 3" anti-aircraft guns and 24 50
calibre anti-aircraft machine guns, 520 coast artillery armed with
8 15 [5] mm. guns, about 1500 air corps personnel (machines to
come from pool being formed in Australia), miscellaneous [and]
service troops.

3. Convoy containing this force is forecast to sail from United
States east coast port about January 21st; I understand convoy
will also contain units other than those due for New Caledonia and
will not be tactically stowed. Whole convoy will proceed to
Australia where New Caledonian force will be restowed tactically
before proceeding to the island.

4. Although this force is earmarked for New Caledonia I understand
final decision to send it to the island will be taken in the light
of situation (especially in A.B.D.A. area) when convoy reaches
Australia. United States War Department are particularly anxious
about defence of aerodromes in northern Australia and adjacent
Dutch islands from which their air forces may be operating
although they are fully alive to the importance of securing New
Caledonia and the consequences of its occupation by the enemy. You
will no doubt see instructions sent to United States Commanding
General, Australia [4], in this regard.

5. Please see Mr. Casey's telegram No. 86. [5] United States army
authorities are most anxious for reasons of security that Free
French in the island should not know of this impending
reinforcement until a short time before its actual arrival.