Australia assumes defence of Malaya and PNG

[Admiral Beez]

My idea comes from this post... Longest range flying boats

1936, Hitler remilitarizes the Rhineland and Britain does nothing. Meanwhile Japan is expanding its military. Australia decides that it had better look to expanding its own military rather than depend on Britain. Sept. 1940 Japan invades FIC. Australia demands to take command of Malayan defence, moving five infantry divisions to Malaya and much of the RAN to Singapore.

The RAAF is too tiny, so RAF will still be needed. But I would want Australia to build airfields between their airbase in PNG and Singapore so that short range fighters can transit.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

If Australia was asked to take a greater role in the defence of Malaya, not only has it the problem of defending Malaya/Singapore, but as you suggest, must find the forces to ensure a reliable, safe supply route remains open from Australia, through the Dutch East Indies. The area, in the main, is best defended by strong Naval and Air forces. Both, Australia had troubles expanding, and the big Naval units can only come from Britain and the USA. It did have a chain of airfields, and sent troops to defend the airfield near Kupang, Timor, first stage on the trip along the island chain towards Java.

 

[Koopernic]

If Australia was asked to take a greater role in the defence of Malaya, not only has it the problem of defending Malaya/Singapore, but as you suggest, must find the forces to ensure a reliable, safe supply route remains open from Australia, through the Dutch East Indies. The area, in the main, is best defended by strong Naval and Air forces. Both, Australia had troubles expanding, and the big Naval units can only come from Britain and the USA. It did have a chain of airfields, and sent troops to defend the airfield near Kupang, Timor, first stage on the trip along the island chain towards Java.

I read somewhere that in the Early 30s Britain was spending 4% of GDP While Australia was 1%. and this lag limited Australia's expansion. Also when Australia did start to expand its defence industries Britain let Australia down by first allowing and then disallowing Merlin production in Australia. This was one factor that lead to the US relying more on defence support from the US.

 

[Admiral Beez]

If Australia was asked to take a greater role in the defence of Malaya, not only has it the problem of defending Malaya/Singapore, but as you suggest, must find the forces to ensure a reliable, safe supply route remains open from Australia, through the Dutch East Indies. The area, in the main, is best defended by strong Naval and Air forces. Both, Australia had troubles expanding, and the big Naval units can only come from Britain and the USA. It did have a chain of airfields, and sent troops to defend the airfield near Kupang, Timor, first stage on the trip along the island chain towards Java.

My thinking wasn't to make Australia entirely responsible for Malaya Command's defences, but to take the lead, especially on ground forces. Until hostilities commence the forces in Malaya can receive re-supply from India and Australia. Even during the height of the battle for Malaya the Japanese did not gain naval superiority, with convoys coming and going to/from Singapore from India and elsewhere throughout January and into very early February 1942.