With reference to the series of cablegrams to Dominions Office
repeated to you [1] on British Commonwealth Force, arrangements
have now been completed for the Organisation of the Force and,
with the concurrence of the British Commonwealth Governments
concerned, the approach to the United States Government is to be
made by the Australian Government.

It is accordingly desired that you take up the following with the
United States Government and keep Dr. Evatt informed:-

1. The Australian Government, acting on behalf of the Governments
of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and India desires to
submit the following proposal to the United States Government.

2. Arrangements have been made by the Governments of the United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and India for the organisation of
a British Commonwealth Force under an Australian Commander to
participate in the occupation of Japan. The Force will be
representative of the Fighting Forces of each of those countries
and will comprise-
(a) Land Forces: One British and one British/Indian Brigade with a
proportion of supporting arms and administrative troops organised
as a group under an Indian Army Commander.

One Australian Brigade and one New Zealand Brigade similarly
organised as a group under an Australian or New Zealand Commander.

It is proposed to consider later whether a second Australian
Brigade should be raised.

(b) Air Forces: An air contingent organised as a Tactical Group
under an integrated Group Headquarters. It would be composed of-
British- 1 Fighter Wing
2 Mosquito Squadrons
1 Transport Squadron
Australian- 3 Mustang Fighter Squadrons
New Zealand- 1 Squadron-type unknown
3. Lieutenant-General John Northcott, Chief of the General Staff,
Australian Military Forces, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief
of the British Commonwealth Force, and he will be served by an
integrated British Commonwealth staff. For operational matters the
Commander-in-Chief of the Force will be under the control of the
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and it is desired that he
should have direct access to General MacArthur for this purpose.

On policy and administrative matters affecting the Force, the
Commander-in-Chief will be jointly responsible to the British
Commonwealth Governments concerned through a British Commonwealth
organisation to be known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia
and through Australian Government machinery, with both of which
representative of the United Kingdom and New Zealand Chiefs of
Staff will be associated.

4. It is proposed that British Commonwealth Naval Forces will also
participate in the occupation of Japan and the United Kingdom
Government will be communicating direct with the United States
Government in regard to this matter.

5. The approval of the United States Government is sought for the
participation in the occupation of Japan of a British Commonwealth
Force organised and controlled as shown in paragraphs 2 and 3.

Authority is also requested for details regarding the role of the
Force, its location in Japan, and its command and administrative
arrangements in relation to the United States occupational layout,
to be completed direct between the Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers and the Commander-in-Chief of the Force.

6. In this connection, the British Commonwealth Governments
concerned do not wish to be made responsible for a Zone of
Occupation in Japan. They would wish that apart from any other
occupational task that may be allotted to the Force, British
Commonwealth Forces should participate in the occupation of Tokyo
prefecture. It is considered that for administrative convenience
the area to be allotted to the British Commonwealth Force should
include port facilities. It would also be convenient for the Air
contingent to be located alongside the Land-forces and three
airfields would be required for the Squadrons taking part.

7. The British Commonwealth Governments concerned trust that the
United States Government will signify its early approval to these
proposals which will be a further practical manifestation to Japan
and the world at large of that co-operation between the British
and American peoples and their Forces which have marked their
common war effort as members of the United Nations.

8. An early reply would be appreciated in order that the
organisation and movement of the Force to Japan may be proceeded
with as soon as possible. [2]