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Telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC commenting on plan [on Indian affairs]: advises against "doing anything hasty or unsound" and states that the "soundness" of the Indian army is more important than opinion in the United States and of British minorities; believes that the Defence Council should not have the function of constitution-making; offers to provide constructive alternatives.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC regarding use of the Australian Corps in the defence of Java [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]: reports conversation with the Governor-General [of Australia, 1st Lord Gowrie, earlier Alexander Hore-Ruthven] regarding the likely view of the Australian Government.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC regarding use of the Australian Army: reports on his communication with Sir Earle Page [Special Australian Envoy to War Cabinet] regarding the war in the Far East; recommends that the Australian Expeditionary Force should be concentrated in the Pacific theatre; concludes that Australia is the main base for operations against Japan and must be made secure; recommends that some of the Australian Imperial Forces should not...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] and the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] reciting a telegram sent by General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to the Chiefs of Staff in London and Washington [United States]: believes that the enemy advance on Southern Sumatra [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia] necessitates a review of plans for the defence of the Dutch East Indies; comments on implications for Australian troops and...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC informing him of the latest situation in Singapore, and reciting his telegram sent to Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] giving him discretion to cease resistance.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: comments on personnel changes at ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] Command; comments on implications of the new situation created by the fall of Singapore and Japanese landings in Sumatra [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]; states that a battle is impending in Libya; comments on the retreat of the German naval forces from Brest [France], and the damage inflicted on the [German battleships], the...

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Telegram from WSC to the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] expressing admiration for his "firm, robust attitude", and commenting on reinforcements for Burma [later Myanmar]: "I regard Burma and contact with China as the most important feature in the whole theatre of war.".

Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC regarding strategy and policy in the Far East: comments on the geography of Java [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia], the likely enemy attack, and strengths of allied naval, land and air forces; comments on the difficulties of landing the Australian Corps; concludes that priority should be given to the defence of Burma [later Myanmar] and Australia; recommends diversion of Australian troops and...

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Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC agreeing to ask the United States for fighter squadrons, and commenting on the strategic importance of New Zealand: suggests that the loss of the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area leads to a need for new bases and to a possible Japanese threat to Australia and New Zealand; believes that New Zealand must become a main base area and requests it be equipped and defended as such.

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC conveying the opinion of the Australian Chiefs of Staff: as Java [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia] is likely to fall, recommends diversion and recall of Australian troops to Australia.

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Telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC suggesting that troops in Burma [later Myanmar] are not fighting with "proper relish" due to lack of inspiration from Lieutenant-General Thomas Hutton [General Officer Commanding, Burma] and urging him to act without delay.

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Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] reciting the text of a telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] [see CHAR 20/70/67-68] on the uninspiring leadership of Lieutenant-General Thomas Hutton [General Officer Commanding, Burma, later Myanmar] and asking for his thoughts.

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Telegram from the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman- Smith] to WSC: comments on the role of Burma [later Myanmar] as a base for offensive action against Japan; suggests that control of Burma should revert to India; hopes that WSC will squash proposals to reduce pay of British officers and men.

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Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] regarding agreement with the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] that the United States would give the Vichy Government [France] no guarantees about non-occupation of Madagascar and Reunion because of the dangers of Japan using the islands.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC regarding military command in Burma [later Myanmar]: feels disturbed at the "lack of real fighting spirit" shown by troops in Malaya [later Malaysia] and Burma, and lists some causes; comments on Lieutenant-General Thomas Hutton [General Officer Commanding, Burma] and proposal to replace him with General Harold Alexander; refers to own rapid recovery.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC: offers support following the fall of Singapore; comments on the escape of the German ships [the Scharnhorst, the Gneisenau and the Prinz Eugen] from the English Channel; comments on the situation in the Far East, and suggests that the United States should reinforce Australia and New Zealand whilst Britain reinforces India and Burma [later Myanmar]; states that the United States will continue to move supplies into...

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Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC regarding the provision of fighter aircraft for New Zealand: asks WSC to help arrange the diversion of two United States pursuit squadrons; comments on the need for fighter aircraft.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] regarding the military situation in the Far East: comments on the implications of rapid enemy advance in the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area; surmises that General Douglas MacArthur [Commander-in-Chief, United States Army in Philippines] "will look after the Australian side"; asks Wavell where he would like his headquarters and suggests his return to India; comments on decision...

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Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC listing specific resources required by air force, army and navy in order to defend New Zealand against a Japanese invasion force.

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Telegram from Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC, reciting President Roosevelt's amended text of instructions [to General Archibald Sir Wavell, Supreme Commander, South West Pacific, regarding the situation in Java, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]. [See also CHAR 20/70/100].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] requesting permission to divert [the 7th] Australian division to Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar]: supports the principle of Australian troops returning home but states that it is the only force that can reach Rangoon in time; refers to the earlier role of the Australian Government in urging the reinforcement of Singapore rather than Burma; stresses the importance of maintaining good relations with the United States; requires...

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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the necessity of diverting the 7th Australian division to Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar] and the refusal of the Australian Government to allow this: urges Roosevelt to press for the diversion and asks for a message that he can convey to the Australian Government.

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Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] reciting the text of a telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC regarding the diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar]. [See also CHAR 20/70/98].

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Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding the importance of the temporary diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar]: asks WSC to inform the Australian Government of the dispatch of additional American troops and planes to Australia.

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Telegram from Field Marshal Sir John Dill [Head of British Joint Staff Mission, Washington, United States] to WSC informing him of the intention of the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to send a telegram to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] appealing for the diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar].