BROOKE POPHAM
Commander in Chief, Far East, 1940-1949

Telegrams and memoranda mainly relating to the requirements of the RAF and Army in the Far East, notably a copy telegram (X776), dated 10 Jan 1941, from the Chiefs of Staff to Brooke-Popham, commenting upon the findings of the Singapore Defence Conference of Oct 1940 and Brooke-Popham's tactical appreciation, and setting a target of 336 first line aircraft and 26 Army battalions to be sent to Malaya by the end of 1941; numerous copy telegrams from Brooke-Popham to the Chiefs of Staff and the Air Ministry requesting increased numbers of aircraft and personnel, and pointing out the difficulty of defending Singapore with obsolete aircraft, no RAF reserve, and inadequate numbers of General Headquarters Staff; Mar-Oct 1941; copy telegram (21671) to the Chiefs of Staff from Lt Gen Arthur Ernest Percival, General Officer Commanding in Malaya, giving a tactical appreciation of the strength of the Army in Malaya, recommending that, due to the weakness of the RAF, the minimum essential army forces should be increased to 48 battalions, 2 Aug 1941; copy telegram from Far East Command Headquarters to the Chiefs of Staff outlining the probable Japanese plan for the capture of Singapore, the inability of the RAF to counter this by attacking Japanese shipping, and backing Percival's recommendation of an increase in ground troops, 20 Aug 1941; memoranda by Brooke-Popham and General Headquarters Far East concerning preparations for a Japanese offensive against Malaya, Sep 1941; copy telegrams (53876 and 55982) from the Chiefs of Staff to Brooke-Popham, concerning his authority to carry out Operation MATADOR (British moves in Burma to forestall Japanese attacks) without referring to the British Government, 25 Nov and 5 Dec 1941, especially following a promise of American armed support in certain cases of Japanese aggression; memorandum entitled 'Appreciation of the situation in Malaya, 18th December 1941', to consider the possibilities of holding Singapore pending the arrival of reinforcements, following the outbreak of war with Japan. 1 file, 49 items.

Personal correspondence between Brooke-Popham and Maj Gen Sir Hastings Lionel Ismay, Secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence, and Deputy Secretary (Military) to the War Cabinet, notably on plans for the defence of Singapore and Malaya in the event of war with Japan, and the need for increased numbers of trained personnel, aeroplanes, equipment, anti-aircraft guns and munitions; initial impressions of Singapore, mainly the lack of communication and cooperation between the central Government, the armed service and the civil populace; the shortcomings of the Singapore Defence Council, and attempts by Brooke-Popham to improve the General Defence Scheme, undertake military exercises designed to improve inter-arm cooperation and introduce schemes for the training of volunteers; visits to Hong Kong (Jan and Apr 1941), Java (Feb 1941), Australia (Feb and Oct 1941), British Borneo (Apr 1941), Manila (Apr and Oct 1941) and Burma (Jun and Sep 1941), with comments upon morale, military preparation, problems of defence, especially in Hong Kong and Burma, aerodrome inspections, shortages of manpower, military transport, aeroplanes and equipment, and impressions of politicians and military commanders; problems relating to the transportation of materials down the Burma Road, the need for a Director General of Transportation and Brooke-Popham's request for the building of an alternative road in the area to lessen the danger of aerial bombing; the potential for increased munitions production in Australia; a visit of the Chinese Military Mission with assurances of aid in the defence of Burma against a Japanese attack through Thailand. 1 file, 19 items. Matador