British Far East Command facts for kids

Quick facts for kids British Far East Command
Active	1940 to 1942; 1963 to 1971
Country	United Kingdom
Type	Command
Garrison/HQ	Singapore

The Far East Command was a British military group that managed forces in the Far East. It existed during two separate times. The first period was from November 1940 to January 1942. After this, it was replaced by a joint command called the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM). The second period was from 1963 to 1971, when it was succeeded by the Australia, New Zealand, and United Kingdom Force (ANZUK Force).

The Far East Command: 1940–1942

During World War II, Britain had two main commands for its areas in the Far East. One was India Command, led by General Sir Archibald Wavell. The other was the Far East Command. Air Marshal Robert Brooke-Popham first led this command. Later, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Royds Pownall took over in December 1941.

The Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Far East Command was in charge of British land and air forces. This included troops in Malaya, Burma, and Hong Kong. Their main job was to control military operations and training. They also helped plan how to defend these areas. However, the C-in-C did not control any naval (navy) forces.

The C-in-C's role was to focus on big military plans and strategies. They were not meant to handle daily tasks or money matters. Local commanders in each area still managed their own troops. They also talked directly with government departments in London. But they had to keep the C-in-C informed about what was happening.

To help the C-in-C, a small team of officers from the army, navy, and air force was provided. They also had a special intelligence group called the Far East Combined Bureau. This group helped gather important information. Even though the team grew, it was often too small for all the work. Also, the navy base and army headquarters in Singapore were far apart. This made it hard for leaders to meet often.

In December 1941, London gave the Far East Command permission to start Operation Matador. This was a plan to invade Siam (now Thailand) if Japanese forces landed there first. The Malaya Command was responsible for planning this operation.

Soon after, the Allied countries created a new, bigger command called American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM). General Sir Archibald Wavell was chosen to lead it. Because of this, the British Far East Command was no longer needed. Its jobs would now be done by ABDACOM. When General Wavell arrived in Singapore in January 1942, the Far East Command joined ABDACOM. Lieutenant-General Henry Royds Pownall, the last C-in-C, became Wavell's Chief of Staff. Wavell then moved his headquarters to Java and took control of all Allied operations.

Leaders of the Far East Command (1940-1942)

The main leaders of the Far East Command during this time were:

• Air Chief Marshal Robert Brooke-Popham: From November 1940
• Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Royds Pownall: From December 1941

After 1943, the Far East region came under a new group called South East Asia Command (SEAC). This command covered areas like India, Burma, Ceylon, British Malaya, and Sumatra. It also included Siam and French Indochina for attacks. In 1945, it expanded to include the Dutch East Indies and more of French Indochina. SEAC was closed in 1946. In 1947, the army command in the region was reformed as the Far East Land Forces.

Leaders of the Far East Land Forces included:

• General Sir Neil Ritchie (1947–1948)
• General Sir John Harding (1948–1951)
• General Sir Charles Keightley (1951–1953)
• General Sir Charles Loewen (1953–1956)
• General Sir Francis Festing (1956–1958)
• General Sir Richard Hull (1958–1961)
• Lieutenant General Sir Nigel Poett (1961–1963)

The Far East Command: 1963–1971

The Far East Command was set up again in 1963. This time, it covered a wider area, including China, Hong Kong, Japan (with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force), and Singapore. Important bases were in Hong Kong (HMS Tamar) and Singapore. This command was unique because it included all three military branches:

• The Far East Fleet (Navy)
• Far East Land Forces (Army)
• Australian Army Force
• The Far East Air Force (Air Force)

On January 11, 1971, the Far East Command was officially closed in Singapore. It was then replaced by the ANZUK Force, which included troops from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Leaders of the Far East Command (1963-1971)

The main leaders during this second period were:

British Commander-in-Chief, Far East Command

• Admiral Sir Varyl Begg (April 1963)
• Air Chief Marshal Sir John Grandy (May 1965)
• General Sir Michael Carver (February 1967)
• Admiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton (March 1969)
• Air Chief Marshal Sir Brian Burnett (1970)

Commander, British Far East Land Forces

• Lieutenant General Sir Reginald Hewetson (April 1963)
• Lieutenant General Sir Alan Jolly (June 1964)
• Lieutenant General Sir Michael Carver (July 1966)
• Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Pearson (January 1967)
• Lieutenant General Sir Peter Hunt (November 1968)
• Major General Sandy Thomas (October 1970 – October 1971)

See also

• RAF Far East Air Force