Telegram from WSC to General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] expressing a high opinion of General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East].

Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC with detailed assessment of likely German attack: Ukraine Caucasus, Middle East plus French Africa, Britain and the Atlantic. With note in the hand of John Colville [Prime Minister's Private Secretary] that the Dominions Office have asked for this telegram to be circulated to the War Cabinet and Defence Committee.

Telegram from WSC to General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa]: comments on how defeat at Agedabia almost destroyed General Sir Archibald Wavell's [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] tank force, and details measures that were taken to reinforce Wavell; comments on battle in desert; refers to intelligence regarding the German advance on the Soviet Union.

Telegram from Robert Menzies [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC asking for answers with regard to failure of opening of Operation "Battleaxe" [codename for British offensive] in North Africa.

Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt welcoming the proposed ferry service for aircraft from Brazil to West Africa; and commenting on the failure of the latest offensive to recapture the initiative in Western Desert.

Telegram from WSC to Oliver Lyttelton [later Lord Chandos, Minister of State in the Middle East] on improvement of defences at Gibraltar, installation of a broadcasting transmitter, distribution of propaganda over North Africa by Special Operations Executive, and appointment of an American Liaison Officer.

Letter from WSC to General [Claude] Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief Middle East] criticising [Air Marshal Sir Arthur] Tedder's [Air Officer Commanding in Chief, RAF, Middle East] estimate of strength; looking forward to receiving news of Operation Crusader as "the whole immediate future of the war" depends on it; and suggesting that although troops are preparing for Norway they could easily be diverted to Africa if necessary. [copy].

Letter from WSC to Max, [1st] Lord Beaverbrook [earlier Sir Max Aitken, Minister of Supply] on efforts to conceal "Crusader" [British North African operation] and let "Ajax" [a planned landing at Trondheim, Norway] become public; refuses to allow him to resign from the Defence Committee. [carbon, annotated by WSC].

Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC requesting transfer of Major- General Alan Cunningham [General Officer Commanding East Africa Forces] from East Africa to Libyan Desert.

Telegram from the Prime Minister of South Africa [General Jan Smuts] to WSC reporting on trip to Middle East with predictions of direction of war in future months.

Telegram from the British High Commissioner in South Africa [4th Lord Harlech, earlier William Ormsby-Gore] to WSC on his recent visit to Middle East; more tanks needed in Libyan Desert before Germans return from Soviet front; agrees that Imperial War Cabinet a bad idea.

Telegram from British High Commissioner in South Africa [4th Lord Harlech, earlier William Ormsby-Gore] to WSC on behalf of General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] suggesting the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East [Major-General Sir Alan Cunningham] attack the Germans in Africa before October.

Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC explaining that relief of Australian troops in Tobruk [Libya] started, but that operation Cultivator will not impede operation Crusader [codename for major British North African operation].

Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] asking what factors could impede progress of operation Crusader [codename or major British North African operation].

Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC welcoming Air Chief Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman's visit; threats to Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa] include air reinforcements for enemy in Libya; suggests sending reassurance to New Zealand.

Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC advising on Brigadier John Whiteley's departure; "I cannot accept that any important changes have been made in plans agreed upon without warning or reason" and on the date for [Crusader, codename for major British operation in North Africa].

Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, accepting new dates for campaign [Crusader, codename for major British operation in North Africa], querying unloading times taken and comparisons with enemy divisions.