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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT^ )
V L
SECRET.
O.D.C.No. 1642
COPY NO
2
COMMITTEE OP IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
OVERSEA DEFENCE COMMITTEE.
THE STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OP THE PACIFIC
ISLANDS.
(Reference O.D.C. Paper Noc 1635.)
Minute by Director of Military Operations and Intelligence,
War Office*
No.79/Gen./3296 (M.0.2).
7th December, 1938*,
I BUggest the following items for the agenda:-
(1) The means whereby information as to Japanese
activities in the Pacific islands can best be
obtained, collated and disseminated,.
(2) The defence of seaplane and other bases. The
likely scale of seaborne or air attack does not
justify the installation of coast or anti-aircraft
artillery in the Pacific Islands.     It is also highly
improbable that any British troops can be made
available for defence against a landing.   In the absence
of efficient local forces (the raising of which may be
impracticable in many places) defence, if considered
essential, might be undertaken by Australia and New
Nealand.
(Sgd.)    G.G. MSARS,
Major.
for Director of Military Operations
and Intelligence.