Minutes of the forty-seventh Meeting of the sub-committee, held in the Secretary's Room, Great George Street, S.W.1. on Tuesday, 21st September, 1943, at 10.15 am

Siam. The situation was fairly satisfactory except regarding air landing places and beaches. Malaya. Material was available but needed collating. Material regarding beaches was lacking. Malaya was out of range for photographic reconnaissance unless from carriers or unless we succeeded in capturing the Andamans. Sumatra. Photographic cover for the northern end was possible. Information was being obtained from the Dutch topographical section in Australia, but even the Dutch had very little information regarding Northern Sumatra. An Inter-Services Committee had been set up to settle priorities for photographic reconnaissance. For this work four Liberators were available, based on Ceylon. Another flight was to be formed next month. In the past resources had been adequate but our requirements would grow in future. Special survey aircraft were also required. If survey photos of northern Sumatra were to be taken they would have to be taken in the forthcoming cold weather. Survey was also required in the Nicobars and Rangoon area. The 'Y' Service had been developed in Burma and within a fortnight of the arrival of a new division knowledge of it could be expected, from traffic indications. One of the greatest problems was the finding of suitable agents. For the few suitable men available there was competition between the Americans, S.I.S., S.O.E. and Army. The Americans were prepared to pay very highly for their services. Lack of suitable transport for S.O.E. and S.I.S. was another difficulty. Agents dropped from aircraft were generally seen and betrayed. He considered that the best method was to land them from the sea. There was a great demand for Japanese interrogators and translators. It should be possible to get Americans of Japanese descent and he was taking action on this. Such persons, however, should be used on an inter-allied basis. THE SUB-COMMITTEE:- (i) Thanked Brigadier O'Brien for his report: (ii) Invited him to give the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee a statement in writing covering what he had told them. This statement would be circulated to the Ministries with a view to the necessary action being taken to remedy the deficiences which had been revealed. -2-