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 General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC stating that the situation in Burma [later Myanmar] is still dangerous and asking WSC to back his suggestion that Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall be appointed as force commander in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka].

Scope and Contents Telegram from John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC relaying observations of Robert Menzies [former Prime Minister of Australia] on administrative arrangements needed for the ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] Area: recommends that Australia and New Zealand be represented on the Chiefs of Staff Committee in Washington [United States]; recommends the creation of an inter- governmental council in Washington; comments on the roles of these bodies and on considerations...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC regarding the situation in Burma [later Myanmar]: comments on lack of communication with General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma], and on the decision to abandon Rangoon.

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Telegram from WSC to Mackenzie King [Prime Minister of Canada] regarding India: believes that the timing of a declaration will be affected by Allied defeats in the Far East and the imminent fall of Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar]; comments on the ignorance of Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese Nationalist Leader] about Indian affairs; believes that the Indian Congress will reject the proposals.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding military arrangements by the United States: comments on problems facing United States; comments on naval deployment in the ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] region; comments on the strong Japanese position in the Pacific and its implications; describes plans to send American reinforcements to Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific; details arrangements to supply shipping to move two...

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC containing proposals for the simplification of operational Command: suggests that the United States assume all operational responsibility for the Pacific area and comments on implications for decision making; suggests that Britain assume all operational responsibility for the area extending from Singapore to India, the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, Libya and the Mediterranean; suggests that Britain...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin]: recites telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding American reinforcements for Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific [see CHAR 20/71B/101-104]; comments on plans to ship British divisions to the Middle East or India; states his belief that the presence of United States forces in ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] area will lead to United States naval...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser]: recites telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding American reinforcements for Australia, New Zealand and the South West Pacific [see CHAR 20/71B/101-104]; comments on plans to ship British divisions to the Middle East or India; states that presence of United States forces in ANZAC [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] area will lead to United States naval protection and...

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Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding the need for a definite strategical plan for the British and United States navies in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC regarding reinforcements for New Zealand: comments on dates for the despatch and arrival of United States troops; comments on the difficulties in leaving a New Zealand division in the Middle East; comments on the strength of proposed reinforcements for the Far East from the United States and Britain.

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Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Sir John Dill [Head of British Joint Staff Mission, Washington, United States] suggesting alterations to an Allied document on war strategy: suggests "essentials" should be an assumption of an offensive against Japan, an air offensive against Germany to relieve the Soviet Union, and British mastery of the Indian Ocean.

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Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC regarding the concerns of Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese nationalist leader] over the military command in Burma and Southern China: suggests that Lieutenant-General Joseph Stilwell [Commander of United States Forces in China, Burma (later Myanmar) and India] command the northern end, with the southern part coming under British command.