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Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] commenting on troop and naval reinforcements for the Far East and expressing doubts about the likelihood of a Japanese invasion of Australia or New Zealand.

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC disputing his view that a serious invasion of New Zealand or Australia is unlikely and renewing representations that their position be strengthened.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: states that he has not yet heard from Australia and New Zealand but that in principle there are great merits resulting from the United States controlling the Pacific sphere and Britain controlling the Indian sphere; comments on the need for the American and British navies to work to a common strategy; describes British naval force in the Central Indian Ocean; comments on the need to co-ordinate all naval commands...

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Telegram from WSC to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] regarding proposals by the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] for dividing the commands [into United States Pacific and British Indian spheres] and stating that this will not absolve Britain from a duty to aid Australia in the event of an invasion. Annotation indicates that the telegram was also sent to Peter Fraser [Prime Minister of New Zealand].

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Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC regarding the arrival of General Douglas MacArthur in Australia, his appointment as Supreme Commander in the [South West Pacific] area and the resulting press release.

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Telegram from John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, to WSC reciting text of a message to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] nominating General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces "in this theatre" [South West Pacific], and asking to be informed of the timing and text of any announcement.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] opposing the creation of a separate military command in Burma [later Myanmar] under Lieutenant-General Joseph Stilwell [Commander of United States forces in China, Burma and India]: encloses text of a telegram from General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] regarding problems arising from Stilwell's arrival; suggests that Stilwell be under the general directions of Alexander in respect of troops...

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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on a message from Admiral Ernest King [Chief of Naval Operations and Commander-in- Chief, United States Navy] promising to keep the Japanese occupied in the Pacific while Britain is building up strength in the Indian Ocean; also refusing Roosevelt's "generous offer" of two new battleships [to reinforce the British Home Fleet].

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Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt to WSC describing damage inflicted by United States forces on the Japanese naval task force off New Guinea [later Papua New Guinea and part of Indonesia]: "It was by all means the best days work we have had.".

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC accepting proposals by WSC and the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, for the establishment of unified control for the conduct of the war in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Atlantic, and welcoming the appointment of General Douglas MacArthur as [Commander-in-Chief of Allied forces, South West Pacific area]; hopes that the close collaboration between Australia and New Zealand will not be weakened.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] regarding the aircraft position in Australia: comments on his representations to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the need for a United States - Australian Air Staff and Planning Staff, and the willingness of Australia to place its Air Force under the immediate control of Lieutenant-General George Brett [Commander of Allied Air Forces, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]; states that President...

Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC transmitting observations of the Australian Chiefs of Staff on the appreciation of the situation in the Far East prepared by the British Chiefs of Staff: comments on the need for more offensive policy; suggests action against Rabaul [New Britain] and the strengthening of forces at Port Darwin [Australia]; comments on the need for a more offensive naval policy involving the formation of joint British and United States naval...

Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC regarding the latest situation in Burma [later Myanmar] and north-east India: believes that Upper Burma cannot be held for long against determined Japanese attack and lists reasons; suggests it may become necessary to withdraw into China as it is important to keep in touch with Chinese at all costs; states that he is putting everything possible into the defence of north-east India and comments on the vital...

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Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt to WSC regarding command in Burma [later Myanmar] and the relationship between General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] and Lieutenant-General Joseph Stilwell [Commander of United States forces, China, Burma and India]; believes that Alexander and Stilwell can work together, and emphasises the suitability of Stilwell for the command of Chinese forces in Burma.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: accepts Roosevelt's proposals [on British and American commands in Burma, see CHAR 20/72/28-30] and has sent instructions to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India] and General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma, later Myanmar]; comments on plans for bombing U-boat construction yards, which has been held back by the weather; refers to the possibility of attack by long range...

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC: states that WSC will be advised as soon as possible about the [Australian] 9th Division; thanks WSC for assurances of support in the event of invasion; comments on the aircraft position in Australia.

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Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin]: acknowledges receipt of Curtin's telegram regarding proposed arrangements for air co-operation between Australia and the United States [see CHAR 20/72/20-21]; comments on his telegram calling for a more offensive naval policy [see CHAR 20/72/23-25] and explains the objections to moving aircraft carriers from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

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Telegram from [Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton], Commander- in-Chief, Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] to WSC explaining that his intention had been to give a definite ruling regarding evacuation and regretting that he had omitted to take precautions with censorship. [See CHAR 20/71B/141 for WSC's telegram].

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Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] informing him of the decision to storm and occupy Diego Suarez [Madagascar]: comments on the background to the operation [codenamed "Ironclad"] and asks for help should it become necessary to intercept French reinforcements from Dakar [Senegal] at the Cape.

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Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC accepting proposals for the direction of war in the Pacific, but commenting on some areas which may require further clarification. Received 23 March 1942 British Time.

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Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) to WSC regarding the defence of North Eastern India: states that the next few weeks will be critical for morale; warns that the result may be disastrous if Calcutta is bombed without any effective defence; comments on the desperate need for up-to-date fighters and suggests alternative means of obtaining these from Britain or the Middle East or Ceylon [later Sri Lanka].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) regarding fighters for the defence of India: comments on the numbers of Hurricanes in India; states that nothing sent from Britain could affect the situation for at least two months; comments on suggestions for diverting fighters from Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] or the Middle East; refers to remarks by General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India] regarding the inability of the Eastern Fleet to respond to a sea-borne...

Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, to WSC regarding the need for air reinforcements in India: states that the Japanese are likely to seize Burma [later Myanmar] air bases and will then be able to attack Calcutta and industrial Bengal [parts of Bangladesh and India] and stresses the need for a bombing force capable of attacking a sea-borne expedition against India; comments on existing reinforcement flow and suggests that consideration be given to the...

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Telegram from Peter Fraser [Prime Minister of New Zealand] to WSC regarding the opposition of the New Zealand Government to plans by the United States to create separate command areas for Australia and New Zealand.

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Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC reporting on his meeting with the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] and Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to Roosevelt] late last night regarding Australian representation in the Pacific area and the Australian division in the Middle East.