My cablegrams 454, 456 and 457. [1] British Commonwealth
Occupation Force.

The following signal [2] from Lieutenant General Northcott, Tokyo,
is being considered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Australia
immediately and their views will be communicated to the
Governments concerned as soon as possible:-

Begins:-

T.O.O.140230Z.

Received very cordially by General MacArthur who is most anxious
to meet our requirements to the maximum extent.

2. Our agreed proposals are:-

(A) Hiroshima Prefecture including cities Kure and Fukuyama
allotted British Commonwealth Force.

(B) British Commonwealth Force will relieve the United States
Corps at present located above area.

(C) Kure will be port for B.C.O.F. Port will be under B.C.O.F.

control.

3. ROLE:

Military control of area and demilitarisation and destruction of
equipment, arms and other defences Hiroshima Prefecture.

4. CONTROL:

(A) All policy matters affecting B.C.O.F. which may require
Governmental agreement will be the subject of direct discussion
between General MacArthur or S.C.A.P. staff and myself.

(B) For operational and local control of areas B.C.O.F.

responsible to C.G. Eighth United States Army who will control
whole area of Japan.

(C) Force Headquarters responsible for administration and
maintenance B.C.O.F.

5. Agreed that role of Air Component is general support of
B.C.O.F., reconnaissance being undertaken of airfields in area and
adjacent thereto (mutilated group).

6. General MacArthur agrees that Australian Services Mission has
completed its task and it is recommended that it be disbanded, and
planning for the reception of B.C.O.F. be continued by Army and
Air Force personnel who will become the Advanced Echelon of
Headquarters B.C.O.F. Recommend Brigadier Anderson [3] be
appointed Brigadier-in-Charge of Administration B.C.O.F. Other
staff here will be nominated to appropriate vacancies in later
signal. Commodore Collins [4] will continue to plan locally for
the entry of the Port Party. United States Port Party Directorate
will continue to function until our Port Party takes over.

7. General MacArthur is notifying Washington regarding the above
agreed proposals and is prepared to go ahead at once with
arrangements for reception B.C.O.F. at earliest practicable date.

8. Strongly recommend you accept the above agreements which I
consider fully meet our requirements and notify Washington
accordingly. In anticipation of your concurrence, am proceeding
with staff discussions on the following basis:-

(A) APPROXIMATE STRENGTHS:-

Force Headquarters and Force troops 4,000
Anzac Division 15,000
British India Division 15,000
R.A.F. 6,000
R.A.A.F. 2,500
R.N.Z.A.F. 500
Naval Port Party 350
(B) TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF ARRIVAL IN JAPAN:

28th January- Naval Port Party;

1st February- 34th Australian Infantry Brigade; Advance Parties
and appropriate Force and Base Troops; Airfield Construction
Squadron and First Echelons Air Component;

23rd February- Headquarters and Leading Brigade British India
Division; Main Body Air Component;

23rd February- Headquarters Anzac Division;

15th March- Remaining Brigade British Indian Division;

23rd March- New Zealand Brigade.

Arrival of New Zealand Brigade has been placed in this order in
view of long sea movement and possible delay shipping from Italy.

If arrangements possible for earlier arrival this can be accepted.

Suggest New Zealand advise immediately convenient date.

ENDS.