 This command was activated on 15 January 1942, with the overall commander being British Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.The command structure had the American Army Air Force Lieutenant General George Brett as deputy commander, the British Lieutenant General Henry Royds Pownall as chief of staff; under them were the American Admiral Thomas C. Hart as naval commander, the Dutch Lieutenant General Hein ter Poorten as ground forces commander, and the British Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Peirse as the air commander.Although the forces were combined, they had differing priorities