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Defense Files

Memorandum by the United States Chiefs of Staff1
secret
United States: ABC–4/CS4
British: WW–16
[Washington,] January 14, 1942.
[Page 233]

Post-Arcadia Collaboration

1.
In order to provide for the continuance of the necessary machinery to effect collaboration between the United Nations after the departure from Washington of the British Chiefs of Staff, the Combined Chief of Staffs (formerly designated as “Joint Chiefs of Staff”) propose the broad principles and basic organization herein outlined.
2.
To avoid confusion we suggest that hereafter the word “Joint” be applied to Inter-Service collaboration of one nation, and the word “Combined” to collaboration between two or more of the United Nations.
3.
Definitions.—
a.
The term “Combined Chiefs of Staff” is defined as the British Chiefs of Staff (or in their absence from Washington, their duly accredited representatives), and the United States opposite numbers of the British Chiefs of Staff.
b.
The term “Combined Staff Planners” is defined as the body of officers duly appointed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff to make such studies, draft such plans, and perform such other work as may from time to time be placed on the “Combined Chiefs of Staff Agenda” by that Body, and duly delegated by them to the Combined Staff Planners.
c.
The “Combined Secretariat” is defined as the body of officers duly appointed by the Combined Chiefs of Staff to maintain necessary records, prepare and distribute essential papers, and perform such other work as is delegated to them by the Combined Chiefs of Staff.
4.
Personnel.—
a.
The Heads of the Joint Staff Mission, Admiral Sir Charles Little, Lt. General Sir Colville Wemyss, and Air Marshal A. T. Harris, will represent the British Chiefs of Staff in Washington.2
b.
The Joint Staff Planners will be:
(1)
For the British (for the time being):
  • Captain C. E. Lambe, R.N.
  • Lt. Col. G. K. Bourne, British Army
  • Group Captain S. C. Strafford, R.A.F.
(2)
For the United States, the principal members are:
  • Rear Admiral R. K. Turner, U.S. Navy
  • Brig. Gen. L. T. Gerow, U.S. Army
  • Capt. R. E. Davison, U.S. Navy
  • Col. E. L. Naiden, U.S. Army
c.
Combined Secretariat
The British members of the Combined Secretariat will be headed by Brigadier Dykes. The United States members will be headed by Commander L. R. McDowell, U.S. Navy.
5.
The Combined Chiefs of Staff shall develop and submit recommendations as follows:
a.
For the ABDA Area, specifically as set forth in the Directive, Annex 2 to U.S. ABC–4/5, British WW–6, dated January 5, 1942.
b.
For other areas in which the United Nations may decide to act in concert, along the same general lines as in a above, modified as necessary to meet the particular circumstances.
6.
The Combined Chiefs of Staff shall accordingly:
a.
Recommend the broad program of requirements based on strategic considerations.
b.
Submit general directives as to the policy governing the distribution of available weapons of war. (It is agreed that finished war equipment shall be allocated in accordance with strategical needs; to effectuate this principle, we recommend the utilization of appropriate bodies in London and Washington, under the authority of the Combined Chiefs of Staff).
c.
Settle the broad issues of priority of overseas military movements.
7.
The question of the production and dissemination of complete Military Intelligence to serve the Combined Chiefs of Staff and Combined Staff Planners has been referred to the latter body for a report. Here also, it is contemplated that existing machinery will be largely continued.
8.
It is planned that the Combined Chiefs of Staff will meet weekly, or more often if necessary; an agenda will be circulated before each meeting.
  1. The source text was Annex 2 to JCCSs–12. It incorporates the amendments accepted in the meeting of the Chiefs of Staff on January 14, 1942; see ante, p. 202.↩
  2. For the replacement of Wemyss by Dill, see ante, p. 198, footnote 3.↩