 The forerunner of the South West Pacific Area was the short @-@ lived American @-@ British @-@ Dutch @-@ Australian Command ( ABDA ) . In December 1941 and January 1942 , ABDA was referred to as the South West Pacific Area . The rapid Japanese advance through the Dutch East Indies effectively divided the ABDA area in two , and in late February 1942 , ABDA was dissolved at the recommendation of its commander , Field Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell , who — as Commander @-@ in @-@ Chief in India — retained responsibility for Allied operations in Burma and Sumatra . 
