The 'HQ in hiding' near Arnhem was in contact with MI9 and 2nd Army in Nijmegen. Lt Colonel David Dobie (commander of 1st Battalion) was rowed across the Rhine by a young Dutchman on the night of 16 October and reached Allied lines. Dobie contacted the XXX Corps and the 101st Airborne Division, who approved the proposed evacuation. Dobie was appointed to lead the evacuation with Neave and Fraser as his intelligence officers. They contacted Tatham-Warter by telephone and drew up a plan they hoped would allow all of the men in hiding to escape.