MWI 40112817 The Singapore Conference
1940, Thursday 28 November;
Lord Gort turned to his adjutant, who was the minute taker and said, “Please note that John”. He looked around the big oblong table at the others seated there, the two Dutch observers, with another three behind, the various Dominion delegates, the two Australians, with again another three seated behind them, the New Zealander, another two behind him, the two Canadians, a couple of South Africans, the three from India, Layton, Percival, Park, again with others behind them all. And lastly the two Americans, also sitting purely as observers.
“I declare this conference closed, I’ll remind you all that these meetings have been held in the strictness confidence, and remember careless talk costs lives. I thank you for your participation, and I wish you all a Bon Voyage. The Governor is holding a dinner tonight and you are all cordially invited to attend, thank you Gentlemen.”
Gort sat back, satisfied that it was over, and all that could be done had been. They had started on Tuesday, and the three days had been full on, with some frank discourse, especially from the Australians, and painful though it sometimes was, it had helped focused everyone on what was needed. If Malaya was to be the shield that protected them all from the Japanese threat, then it needed serious reinforcing. And not just in troops, equipment levels were poor, and many of the sundry materials required were in short supply.
The conference had originally been planned with the Americans fully attending, but despite Roosevelt’s re-election, the Americans were very wary of making any commitment, and so had only attended as observers. That meant the Dutch, who were extremely nervous about a lack of public commitment to their security, would only attend as observers as well, holding back, awaiting a commitment to safeguard their security from Britain and the USA.
But Churchill and the COS had been good on their word, and the Dominions attended, and were wanting to help where they could. Britain’s Far East strategy was one of letting the Americans take the lead with Japan, but it had become increasingly clear not to expect them to come and defend Singapore. Therefore, they had to build a defence themselves. In the conference commitments had been made, promises given and decisions agreed.
Australia agreed to provide one brigade of the 8th Australian Division, until the air forces had been built up to a level sufficient for its redeployment. This also included all the associated units. She agreed to raise four Article XV RAAF Sqns and additional air and ground crews, along with deploying two of her own RAAF Sqns. She would re-equip the two Vildebeest Sqns with newly build Bristol Beaufort’s, once the factory had started production. The RAN would provide some escorts for convoying.
New Zealand promised to raise two Article XV RNZAF Sqns, additional air and ground crews, and provide an Airfield Construction company minus earth moving equipment. It would also provide pilots for the FAA Training Wing being formed in Singapore.
Canada would provide four Article XV RCAF Sqns and additional air and ground crews, an Airfield Construction company and enough earth moving equipment for it and the NZ unit. Additional trained operators and technicians for the Radar Network would be sent. She would also send small arms and associated munitions, assorted railway equipment and parts, steelwork and cement, and a lot of motor transport, all convoyed by the RCN, where required.
South Africa would be providing their Marmon Herrington armoured cars, 3-inch mortars and mortar bombs, a lot of .303 rounds, and would take any trainee pilots into the Joint Air Training Scheme (JATS) that Singapore care to send them. She would also send newly manufactured small military items, steelwork and supplies.
India would provide additional troops from her vastly expanding army, but these would take time to train. Ultimately, it was planned that she would provide the entire garrison for Malaya, with British Army units attached. Also, she would send munitions, supplies and stores for the Army, some small arms and foodstuffs. The RIN would be able to provide some escorts for convoying.
While the Dutch, with some agreements for arms supplies made, would exchange liaison officers, agreed to the mutual use of military airfields, with refuelling and rearming arrangements and information exchanges, including Naval ship deployments.
Help was coming, initially just a trickle, but in time that could turn to a steady stream.
Lord Gort turned to his adjutant, who was the minute taker and said, “Please note that John”. He looked around the big oblong table at the others seated there, the two Dutch observers, with another three behind, the various Dominion delegates, the two Australians, with again another three seated behind them, the New Zealander, another two behind him, the two Canadians, a couple of South Africans, the three from India, Layton, Percival, Park, again with others behind them all. And lastly the two Americans, also sitting purely as observers.
“I declare this conference closed, I’ll remind you all that these meetings have been held in the strictness confidence, and remember careless talk costs lives. I thank you for your participation, and I wish you all a Bon Voyage. The Governor is holding a dinner tonight and you are all cordially invited to attend, thank you Gentlemen.”
Gort sat back, satisfied that it was over, and all that could be done had been. They had started on Tuesday, and the three days had been full on, with some frank discourse, especially from the Australians, and painful though it sometimes was, it had helped focused everyone on what was needed. If Malaya was to be the shield that protected them all from the Japanese threat, then it needed serious reinforcing. And not just in troops, equipment levels were poor, and many of the sundry materials required were in short supply.
The conference had originally been planned with the Americans fully attending, but despite Roosevelt’s re-election, the Americans were very wary of making any commitment, and so had only attended as observers. That meant the Dutch, who were extremely nervous about a lack of public commitment to their security, would only attend as observers as well, holding back, awaiting a commitment to safeguard their security from Britain and the USA.
But Churchill and the COS had been good on their word, and the Dominions attended, and were wanting to help where they could. Britain’s Far East strategy was one of letting the Americans take the lead with Japan, but it had become increasingly clear not to expect them to come and defend Singapore. Therefore, they had to build a defence themselves. In the conference commitments had been made, promises given and decisions agreed.
Australia agreed to provide one brigade of the 8th Australian Division, until the air forces had been built up to a level sufficient for its redeployment. This also included all the associated units. She agreed to raise four Article XV RAAF Sqns and additional air and ground crews, along with deploying two of her own RAAF Sqns. She would re-equip the two Vildebeest Sqns with newly build Bristol Beaufort’s, once the factory had started production. The RAN would provide some escorts for convoying.
New Zealand promised to raise two Article XV RNZAF Sqns, additional air and ground crews, and provide an Airfield Construction company minus earth moving equipment. It would also provide pilots for the FAA Training Wing being formed in Singapore.
Canada would provide four Article XV RCAF Sqns and additional air and ground crews, an Airfield Construction company and enough earth moving equipment for it and the NZ unit. Additional trained operators and technicians for the Radar Network would be sent. She would also send small arms and associated munitions, assorted railway equipment and parts, steelwork and cement, and a lot of motor transport, all convoyed by the RCN, where required.
South Africa would be providing their Marmon Herrington armoured cars, 3-inch mortars and mortar bombs, a lot of .303 rounds, and would take any trainee pilots into the Joint Air Training Scheme (JATS) that Singapore care to send them. She would also send newly manufactured small military items, steelwork and supplies.
India would provide additional troops from her vastly expanding army, but these would take time to train. Ultimately, it was planned that she would provide the entire garrison for Malaya, with British Army units attached. Also, she would send munitions, supplies and stores for the Army, some small arms and foodstuffs. The RIN would be able to provide some escorts for convoying.
While the Dutch, with some agreements for arms supplies made, would exchange liaison officers, agreed to the mutual use of military airfields, with refuelling and rearming arrangements and information exchanges, including Naval ship deployments.
Help was coming, initially just a trickle, but in time that could turn to a steady stream.
