MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD
Tentative arrangements covering establishment of the British
Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan have been effected between
Staff Conferees of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and
the British Commonwealth Force as enumerated below. These
arrangements have been concluded on a staff level to facilitate
establishment of the Force in Japan when directed. It is
understood that they are subject to agreement between the
Governments concerned and in no way constitute commitments of the
parties to specific courses of action. The substance of these
arrangements is being communicated by the Supreme Commander for
the Allied Powers to the United States Government, and by the GOC,
British Commonwealth Force, to the Australian Government, for
appropriate action.

1. COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS:

a. Mission
The British Commonwealth Force will constitute a component of
occupation forces in Japan under the supreme command of the
Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. It will be charged with
the normal military duties of a force of its size and composition,
including military control of Hiroshima Prefecture and such other
ground and air areas as may be allocated to it for this purpose,
demilitarization and disposition of Japanese installations and
armaments within such ground areas and measures necessary for the
security of the Force. These areas do not constitute a national
zone. It will accomplish such ground and air patrol and
surveillance missions within allocated areas as may be directed.

Military Government functions within areas allocated to the
British Commonwealth Force will be conducted by U.S. agencies as
directed by SCAP. Relationships of the British Commonwealth Force
with the Japanese, and routine security functions pertaining
primarily to Eighth Army operations as a whole, will be prescribed
by the CG, Eighth Army. The British Commonwealth Force will
conduct such military operations outside normally allocated areas
as may be directed to the CG, Eighth Army for Ground Forces and
the CG, Fifth Air Force for Air Forces.

b. Command Organization
SCAP will assign ground forces of the British Commonwealth Force
to operational control of the CG, Eighth U.S. Army. SCAP will
assign operational control of the air component of the British
Commonwealth Force to the CG, PACUSA. Such air component will
function as a separate air command under the Fifth Air Force. SCAP
will assign operational control of Royal Naval Port Party, British
Commonwealth Force, to the U.S. Naval Commander exercising
jurisdiction over Japanese ports, for operation of the port of
Kure. Such assignments to operational control will become
effective upon arrival of the Forces concerned at Japanese ports
of debarkation. Ground Forces of the British Commonwealth Force
will function as a corps of two divisions under the command of the
GOC, British Commonwealth Forces as Corps Commander. The Corps
will be composed of one British-Indian Division of two brigade
groups with supporting troops, and an Anzac Division of one
brigade and one brigade group with supporting troops. Logistic
organization of the British Commonwealth Force will be as
prescribed by the Commander thereof. GOC, British Commonwealth
Force will remain responsible for the maintenance and
administration of the British Commonwealth Force as a whole.

c. Command and Administrative Channels
(1) GOC, British Commonwealth Force will have the right of direct
access to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers for matters
of major policy affecting the operational capabilities of the
Force.

(2) GOC, British Commonwealth Force will retain the right of
direct communication with the British Commonwealth Joint Chiefs of
Staff in Australia on administrative matters affecting the Force.

(3) It is understood that for matters of Governmental concern
[a]ffecting the policy and operations of the British Commonwealth
Force, the channel of communication lies from the Australian
Government as representative of the British Commonwealth of
Nations through the United States Government and the United States
Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Supreme Commander for the Allied
Powers.

(4) In administrative matters pertaining to relations with United
States Forces or with the Japanese, the GOC, British Commonwealth
Force will be governed by policies prescribed by Commanders
exercising operational control. Such policies will in general
conform to those prescribed for United States Forces. In case of
conflict between such administrative instructions received from
the CG, Eighth Army and the CG, PACUSA (or his designated
representative), the matter will be referred to GHQ, SCAP for
decision.

[matter omitted]

2. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

a. The British Commonwealth Force will be allocated Hiroshima
Prefecture for exercise of the functions and responsibilities
enumerated in sub-paragraph 1a above.

b. If proven necessary by reconnaissance, the British Commonwealth
Force may be allocated an additional area or areas by SCAP for air
base purposes. Within such areas, British Commonwealth Force will
exercise the security and surveillance functions and
responsibilities prescribed for Hiroshima Prefecture, subject to
local modification at the direction of CG, Eighth Army.

3. FORCES:

a. It is understood that the total strength of the British
Commonwealth Force will be determined by inter-governmental
decision. It is also understood that the British Commonwealth
Force plans to maintain its basic organization as a Corps of two
divisions of two brigades each, with suitable air and (air and
ground) service supporting elements within the strength eventually
determined. Major unit strength will be adjusted to meet the total
strength determined by inter-governmental decision. Composition
and strength of the air component of the Force is also subject to
inter-governmental decision.

b. It is understood that the British Commonwealth Force may be
withdrawn wholly or in part upon agreement between the Governments
of the United States and Australia or upon six months notice by
either party. It is also understood that reductions will be made
in the British Commonwealth Force from time to time in conformity
with progressive reductions in United States Occupation Forces in
Japan. [1]

[matter omitted]

J. NORTHCOTT, R.J. MARSHALL,
Lieutenant General, A.I.F., Major General, G.S.C.,
Commanding, British Chief of Staff.

Commonwealth Force Supreme Commander for the
Allied Powers.