At the moment some of it will just be headings to give some rough outline. Also I am missing some pages but a hope to be able to fill the gaps.
The scenario of the March Combined Services Exercise
SECRETE. – GHQFE/799/N.
DEFENCE EXERCISE.
OPENING NARRATIVE.
1. By the beginning of March 1941 as a result of increased U.S.A. anti-Axis tendencies and her “Aid to Britain” bill, relations between Japan and both Britain and America had become even more strained than they were in February. Intelligence reports emphasised increased pressure and a threatening attitude by Japan on the Vichy Representative in Tokyo in connection with the French Indo-China - Thailand negotiations and the use of Camranh Bay by the Japanese.
The reactions of the Vichy Representative had been to accede over the economic points but NOT over the question of the use of bases. A dead-lock in similar Netherlands East Indies – Japanese trade negotiations had also been reported. The Dutch continued to stand firm against Japanese demands and Japanese representative was threatening to leave the Netherlands East Indies if the Dutch persisted in their attitude.
Simultaneously, information to be received of intensified “peaceful penetration” by the Japanese in Thailand and there were indications of a military agreement having been signed between the Japanese and Thais. Japanese aeroplanes and munitions continue to arrive at Bangkok.
A G.H.Q. Far East appreciation summarizing the situation and pointing out that the Japanese attitude constituted a direct threat to some or all of the British possessions within the Commander-in-Chief’s, Far East Command, was received in London on the 1st March, 1941. This co-incided with a public declaration by H.M.G. reserving all right in the event of Thailand joining the Axis. Two days later, 3rd of March, H.M.G. instructed their Ambassador in Tokyo to warn the Japanese Foreign Minister that they would take it as a hostile act if Japan advances south of Bangkok. At the same time, information was received in Singapore from London that, although the U.S.A. had as yet refrained from showing their hand, diplomatic exchanges between the British Government and Washington were being continued in an endeavor to persuade the U.S.A. to use all means in their power to prevent a final break between the British Empire and Japan.
2.
F.E.C.B.,
Intelligence Summary for the period 23rd, February 1941, to the 5th
March 1941 is attached.
SECRETE
DEFENCE EXERCISE – F.E.C.B. Summary of Information 23rd Feb. to 5th March, 1941.
23rd February.Vice Consul HAIPONG reports Japanese cruiser of CAMRAMH BAY
Increase in Flag Officers Cypher messages by
W/T.
W/T intelligence discloses movement signals for units of 2nd Fleet.
S.I.S. reports 50 Japanese Tpts in HOIHOW.
Another ship load of Japanese aeroplanes and
munitions have arrived BANGKOK.
25th February
Unusual activity in DEEP BAY a few destroyers in NIRSBAY and landing of stores at NANTAU.
C-in-C E.I. reports number of Japanese merchant
ships on his station has reduced to
five. Increase in Japanese W/t to Shanghai.
Indications that Japanese W/T traffic to HOSAN (FORMOSA) concerns units previously mentioned in SHANGHAI traffic.
Japanese bomber makes forced landing north of LASHIO inside BURMA. Pilot says he
was looking for LOIWING but lost his way. His papers disclose he was ordered to
photograph LASHIO. KUCHING reports Japanese community preparing to evacuate. No
Japanese ships present.
Two Japanese cruisers and unknown number of small craft in CAMRANH BAY. Dutch fishing vessels report three submarines in company passing SUNDA STRAIT steering SOUTH. Master of Greek ship reported to S.O. (1) Shanghai sighting on 25 Feb three strange ships escorted by four destroyers in approx. 31Deg N., 125 deg. 15 min E. South bound. Interrogation revealed them to be sister ships of JTFJ, the landing craft carrier.
One Japanese infantry Regt. Arrived SAIGON.
24 Japanese Aeroplanes arrived SAIGON.
Governor General F.I.C. virtual prisoner in
the palace. Japanese hairdresser caught snooping new oil refinery at LUTONG,
SAEWAK. S.O. (1) Rangoon reports one Italian steamer in PUKET has put to sea.
TOKIO MARU and KOBE MARU (potential A.M.C.s) due Singapore from COLOMBO have not arrived.
Hong Kong reports large increase in Japanese frontier troops. M.A. Bangkok estimates Japanese forces in Thialand at 300 officers and 2,000 men incl. party of special services section.
Hong Kong reports many Japanese aeroplanes flying near frontier.
S.O. (1) Rangoon reports unusual collection
of fishing boats 50 miles NORTH of PUKET on 26 Feb.
M.A. Bangkok reports arrival further contigent 4,000 Japanese but all remain in Bangkok. Japanese A.F.Vs. arrive in Bang kok by road from F.I.C.
S.I.S. reports large number of transports arrived KEELUNG 26 Febrary.
Saigon Radio states Governor Gen. resigned and Japanese
military forces have arrived Saigon to preserve order. W/T traffic much
reduced. German raider supply ship captured by C-in-C., E.I. off New Amsterdam.
Japanese Flag, 2 Japanese officers and Japanese Naval code on board. Floating
mine off HORSBURGH recovered. Proves to be delayed action Japanese parted from
its mooring. Release section set to rise in about 7 daye time.
Two Japanese cruisers reported off SAIGON.
Four French aircraft flown by Free French Volunt. Arrive KOTA BAHRU from SAIGON and report Japanese have about 2,000 troops and 46 planes there.
British timber merchant in CHIEMGMAI state aerodrome in Japanese occupation (11 Heavy Bombers 6 Fighters).
B.O.A.C. anf K.L.M. services didn’t call at Bangkok and proceeded to Rangoon via Pepang – Mergul. W/T traffic resumed. Indications of New Naval Ciffer but no chang of call sign.
3rd March
S.I.S. reports that on 24 Feb. assembly of warships was sighted from saddle Island. Consul Gen. MANILA reports Norwegian captain sighted four cruisers and a number of destroyers exercising off SAMA on 1 March.
M.A. Bangkok reports movement of THAI tps. To E. THAKHAM S. THAILAND. Chinese Intelligence reports at least one Div. withdrawn from CentralChina down YANGTSE.
ACNB reports arrival in DILLI of six flying boats of Japanese
air force on 1 March.
Unidentified 4 engine flying boat seen over JESSELTON.
B.A. TOKYO reports all clearance to Allied ships in Japanese ports are being held up on trivial pretexts.
5th March
Two more Fee French aeroplanes arrive in Malaya and report having sighted collection of 30 merchant ships and warships at KOH TRUNG (near RIEM) and some seaplanes at moorings in KOH SAMUI.
Complete Japanese W/T silence except for
shore stations. All new signs and reorganized frequencies.
Combined Far East Exercise 1941
SECRET
NARRATIVE No.2 ON 8TH AND 9TH MARCH
(TO BE ISSUED BY DIRECTING STAFF AND UMPIRES
TO ALL FORMATIONSS 2000 HOURS 7TH MARCH)
1. At 0800 hours 8th March, the War Telegram was received in Singapore. By 1000 hours information had arrived that the British Minister, BANGKOK had been asked to leave Thailand. During the course of the day the following additional information had been received: -
(i) WASHINGTON embargoes all trade with Japan and forbids U.S. ships to sail to the Western Pacific, except Manila.
(ii) Coast watchers report Japanese iron ships arrive off DUNGUN and KEMAMAM.
(iii) Cable and Wireless report three deep sea cables cut.
(iv) Air reconnaissance from Malaya shows no unusual shipping movements up to dusk within 200 miles of Singapore and Kota Bahru.
(v) Special reconnaissance shows transports still in Riem.
2.
By 0830
hours 9th March, reports had come in that Japanese bombers had been
over LASHIO, MANDALAY, VICTORIA PIONT, MERGUI, KOTA BAHRU, ALOR STAR and PENANG
dropping bombs on all. Damage reported was KOTA BAHRU aerodrome rendered unserviceable
for a period estimated at least three days. ALOR STAR and PENANG aerodromes
rendered unusable for at least twelve hours. Some 45% of bombs were fused delay
action.
Information below was also received during the course of the day: -
(i) British Consul-General MANILA reports Pan American Clipper enroute HONG KONG from MANILA sighted Japanese convoy of fifteen large transports escorted by two cruisers and six destroyers in position Latitude 18 deg. N., Longitude 18 deg. E., steaming south at 1400 hours on 8th March.
(ii) U.S. Government promise all aid short of war unless PHILIPPINE ISLANDS attacked but move one carrier, one cruiser division and one flotilla of destroyers of the scouting forced to Manila.
(iii) Japanese submarine in wake of Dutch tanker appears in Miri, surfaces and shells W/T station and oil pumping station doing considerable damage. Oil Denial Scheme put into force successfully.
(iv)
Air reconnaissance
from Malaya at dusk reveals two convoys, one of about 30 transports 60 miles
south-west of CAMBODIA POINT, and one of about 25 transports in Latitude 4 deg.
N., Longitude 106 deg. E. Each is escorted by warships.,
******
3.
G.O.C.
Malaya Command and A.O.C. Far East will use Appendix A of the “Directive”
issued to them in January by Commander- in-Chief, far East, as giving the
present estimate of Japanese forces available for an attack on Malaya.
SECRETE – APPENDIX “A”
DEFENCE EXERCISE – MAPS.
1.
¼ million (64 miles to 1-inch approx..)
Sheets – MALAY PENINSULA CHINA, JAPAN PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS, NOTHERN INDIAN SOUTHERN INDIA
2. 1/750,000 ...... SOUTHERN THAILAND
3. 1-inch to 6 miles ...... MALAYA 1939 (all four sheets)
4. 1-inch to 3 miles ...... KELANTAN 1940
5. 1-inch to 2 miles ...... KEDAH and PERLIS 1939
6. 1-inch to 1 mile ...... PENANG and PROVINCE WELLESLEY
7. 1-inch to 1 mile ...... Sheets: MERSING; SINGAPORE ISLAND; KLUANG;
8. ANY MAP OF KUANTAN
***************
SECRET.
DEFEENCE EXERCISE – MARCH, 1941
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FAR EAST, INSTRUCTION NO. 3.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The following instructions on a variety of miscellaneous points in connection with the Exercise:-
TIME OF
START OF EXCERISE
Although the Exercise begins at 08.00 hours 6th March
by information by information being receive H.M.G. in LONDON this communication
is only issued to H.E. the Governor and to the two Commander- in-Chief. Normal work is therefore
NOT to be interrupted in any way until such as orders are received through the
usual channels.
1.
EXERCISE MESSAGES.
All communications throughout the exercise whether
verbal or written must begin and end with the words “EXERCISE MESSAGE”. It is
most import that this phrase should not be omitted.
2. COPIES OF MESSAGES FOR UMPIRES
3. ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS.
4. ADNINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR UMPIRES.
(a)
Transport.
(b)
Accommodation
and Feeding Arrangements.
5. MAPS.
See Appendix A
6. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS - DIRECTING STAFF AND UMPIRES.
See Appendix B.
7. SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS.
The following extracts from notes from notes prepared by the Defence Security Officer for the Exercise are issued for guidance:-
(a)
It is
certain that the Japanese will take the liveliest interest in the exercise and
will leave no stone unturned to acquire as much useful information as possible
for early dispatch to Japan. Recent events have confirmed that their espionage
system is well organized in Singapore and Malaya generally. They will be under
no greater restriction of movement or surveillance than they are now. Although
it has become almost commonplace to say that Japanese General Staff know all
about the permanent defences, the approximate strength of the garrison and
normal location of units, there are still many things they should not be
allowed to get hold of.
(b) The exercise will be the first full scale one for several years, in fact, since the beginning of the war. It will demand, inter alia: -
(i) Deployment into battle positions of something approaching the maximum strength of the military forces in Malaya for war against Japan.
(ii)
The Issue
of detailed operational orders and instructions on a big scale. Whereas it is
difficult to prevent observation of (1) it is imperative to preserve the
security of (ii).
(c) One of the greatest dangers will be the old one of carless talk in public by Service personnel. This applies particularly to personnel who have access to operation orders and instructions. In this connection it will be remembered that practically all this typing of orders, etc., is done by the clerical staff of other ranks and certain female civilians. The following points will be included in security instructions: -
(i) During the period of the exercise every effort is to be made by all ranks to preserve the internal security of the forces and so prevent the posiblity of information getting into the hands of the enemy. It is possible that enemy agents and other persons working against the interest of the British Empire will be on the lookout to gain information to gain information particularly by direct observation and listening to conversation by service personnel.
(ii) All ranks are warned against discussing the operations in public, especially in hotels, boarding houses, cafes and bars.
(iii) Any person acting suspiciously will be interrogated and a report made through the usual channels. The numbers of private cars of suspected persons should always be recorded.
(iv) The care exercised in the handling and disposal of secrete operational orders, instructions, schemes, plans and maps to ensure that copies do not fall into the hands of unathorised persons, it is to be as rigorous as in war.
(v) Care is necessary in the use of civil telephones system observing that all exchanges are manned mainly by Asiatic civilians. This does not apply to civil telephones with SECRAPHONE attachment.
8.
DISLOCATION OF CIVIL ACTIVITES.
Will the Secretary for
Defence and Commissioner for Civil Defence please note that Monday, 10th
March will be the day on will a major dislocation of civil activities is to be
expected. So far as the taking up of transport is concerned, dislocation in the
respect may occur any time from morning Thursday, 6th March.
SECRETE.
APPENDIX
“B”
DIRECTING STAFF AND UMPIRES – CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION AND REPORTS.
DIRECTING
STAFF CONTROL ROOM
In Conference
Room G.H.Q.F.E. Naval Base. Telephone No. (will be communicated later)
SENIOR CIVIL UMPIRE (also on D.S.)
Mr. Gorsuch, Commissioner for Civil Defence, Old Supreme Court – Tel. 5411.
- Other Civil, Police, A.R.P., etc umpires
SENIOR
ARMY UMPIRE – Malaya Command excluding Northern Area
Lt.
Col. Tawney, R.A., Library Fort Canning. Telephone No. (will be communicated
later)
-
Brigade and equivalent formation umpires
-
Unit umpires
SENIOR
ARMY UMPIRE – Northern Area
Major
Crafter 2nd Surreys, H.Q. Northern Area, Kuala Lumpur.
-
Brigade and equivalent formation umpires
-
Unit umpires
SENIOR
AIR UMPIRE – Singapore & Johore
F/OFF.
JONES, Air H.Q. Far East
-
Other Air umpires, Singapore & Johore
SENIOR AIR UMPIRE – Northern Area
F/OFF. DANE, Ipoh
-
Other Air umpires, Northern Area
Note: Umpire throughoutb Malaya will not have to use normal government or civil telephones. There will be no neutral lines.
**********************************************
Extracts from exercises of 17th to 18th April 1941
TACTICAL EXERCISE 17-18 April 1941
Ref Negri Sembillan Map 3F/8
OPENING NARRATIVE
…. “War between Japan and Malaya has between threatening for some days and advice has been received that fleet of transports convoyed by warships, is moving south” …………. “it is estimated that this convoy carries one Japanese div. Another covoy was reported 150 miles away” …… “one Indian Bn. and one mtn. bty under command was in position holding are as”……
.... “the brigade was in reserve” …
….” During 17 April the brigade with attached units moved by trai and road to Port Dickson area” …..
************************************************************************
Extracts from Exercise of 11th to 15th June 1941
“EASTANESE” Forces after establishing air
bases in “friendly” SUMATRA, deploying substantial air forces including 60
troop carrying capable aircraft.
Supporting them are various naval forces:-
two battleships, destroyers, light forces, minelayers & 30 minesweepers;
3 heavy cruisers escorting a convoy of 6 transports (up to 15,000 tons) with 4 crack infantry regiments and supporting units (ex HAINAM ISLAND;
20 tugs each towing 5 “sampan” landing craft (20 ton class);
A landing craft carrier which has larger landing craft capable of carrying 6 AFVs.
A heavy naval force is steaming south from CAM RAHM BAY.
Intelligence report evidence of planned sabotage activities.
By 11th June 1941 the “EASTANESE” have swept mine-free channels on the west coast of MALAYA down to BATU PAHAT and are laying mines south of BATU PAHAT.
Without a declaration of war the “EASTANESE” attack on 12th June 1941. Carrying out three battalion landing (with attached troops including artillery and 6 ton tanks) l in the Malacca Straits near MALACCA and 1 either side of MUAR, plus a battalion parachute attack on TAMPIN thus cutting the railway line. KUALALUMPUR, PORT DICKSON, PORT SWEETENHAM and some railway towns bombed. LUPOKCHINA bridge is damaged by air action.
