Forces taken from the Middle East that were sent to the Far East

The naval forces left after the December disasters included only small vessels, except for the Australian cruiser Hobart. The Australian sloop Yarra was also sent home. Two sloops and two minesweepers were sent from the Red Sea to the East Indies. They were the Sutlej, Jumna, Lismore, and Bathurst. Three sloops were taken from the Persian Gulf and sent to the East Indies, as well. These were the Indus, the Hindustan, and Falmouth. The plan also included taking two submarines and sending them east in early 1942. Hurricane fighter aircraft were transported east by the aircraft carrier Indomitable. The land forces sent east included the 7th Armoured Brigade with 110 Stuarts in two regiments. There was a 25pdr battery and an anti-tank battery. General Auchinleck offered to send an Australian brigade, if they could be promptly replaced. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Official History.