Scope and Contents Telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to the Secretary of State for India [Leo Amery] and WSC commenting on the question of responsibility for the defence of India: feels that there are no very serious risks in giving an Indian member of the Council a new Defence Co-ordination portfolio but feels it is not possible to take away the substance of the Defence portfolio from the Commander-in-Chief [General Sir Archibald Wavell];...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] reciting detailed comments by the Chiefs of Staff on offensive naval action in the Far East: states that it is necessary to remain strategically on the defensive in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans and outlines reasons; comments on the implementation of a future strategic offensive and interim offensive action; comments on the relative strengths of the fleets of the United States and Japan.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the presence of a large Japanese naval force in the Indian Ocean; wonders whether these movements are a prelude to an invasion of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and suggests that the United States Pacific Fleet might be used to compel the Japanese naval forces back to the Pacific.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding naval losses in the Indian Ocean: recites message from the Deputy Commander-in- Chief at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] to WSC regarding the sinking of the merchant ships Gandara and Dardamus; comments on the sinking of the cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall; states that he is hoping to see Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to Roosevelt] and General George Marshall [Chief of Staff,...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) to WSC commenting on the text of a new formula regarding responsibility for the defence of India and asking for the authority of the War Cabinet to proceed.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (Karachi [India, later Pakistan]) to WSC regarding the defence situation in India, particularly the air and naval situation and commenting on the need for heavy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (Cairo [Egypt]) concerning the position of the Air Ministry with regard to supplying bombers to India.

Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC repeated to Herbert Evatt [Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney General] regarding the defence of Australia: conveys the view of the Supreme Commander, South West Pacific Area [General Douglas MacArthur] that the 9th Australian Division could be allowed to remain in the Middle East in return for the provision of required naval and air strength; comments on conclusions of the British Chiefs of Staff regarding...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] concerning "the grave situation" arising from the large Japanese naval presence in the Indian Ocean: suggests alternative plans for moving capital ships to the Indian Ocean; presses for American heavy bombers in India; comments on his meeting with the President's envoys and states that he is sending the 1st Sea Lord [Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound] to see the President and Admiral Ernest King...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] thanking him for his decision to allow the Australian 9th Division to remain in the Middle East for the present and commenting on plans to build up a strong naval force in the Indian Ocean.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (Cairo [Egypt]) to WSC reciting the text of a telegram from Cripps to Maulana Abdul Kalem Azad [President of the Congress Party, India] dated 30 March 1942 regarding proposals for the division of defence responsibilities in India.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (Cairo [Egypt]) to WSC reciting the text of a telegram from Cripps to Maulana Abdul Kalem Azad [President of the Congress Party] dated 7 April 1942 outlining proposals for a division of responsibilities regarding the defence of India and listing those responsibilities that could be assumed by an Indian representative.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding immediate British war needs: comments on United States Air Force suggestions for getting planes to India; questions the viability of a naval concentration in the Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] area using mixed forces and suggests that consideration be given to the temporary American replacement of British Home Fleet units.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to President Roosevelt] for WSC containing several observations on the proposal to send American planes to India.

Scope and Contents Typescript copy of letter from Vi Wellington Koo [Chinese Ambassador to Britain] to WSC containing the text of a telegram from Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese Nationalist leader] to WSC commenting on his recent visit to Burma [later Myanmar]: comments on the scene of "desolation and disorder" in Mandalay; comments on the superiority of the enemy in the air; comments on the dangers of defeat in Burma and appeals for reinforcements of air power. [See CHAR 20/74/39-40 for WSC's...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, expressing uneasiness on the sinkings of HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Cornwall and HMS Hermes and asking for more information on the naval situation in the Far East.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India: comments on fighter and bomber strengths in India and Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and details reinforcements; comments on plans to build up a powerful naval force in the Indian Ocean under Admiral Sir James Somerville [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet]; comments on the strategic importance of holding Colombo [Ceylon] and preserving the link with China; states that he is sending Wavell extracts of a telegram from...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, containing extracts of a telegram [on the situation in Burma, later Myanmar] from Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese Nationalist leader] to WSC. [See CHAR 20/73/120-123].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: comments on a plan to strengthen the British fleet in the Indian Ocean by using United States ships to reinforce the British Navy at Scapa [Scotland]; states that he is sending a note drafted by Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal [Chief of the Air Staff] regarding air reinforcements for Burma [later Myanmar], India and Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] but welcomes the proposal to use the United States aircraft carrier...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] reciting a note drafted by Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal [Chief of the Air Staff] regarding air reinforcements for Burma [later Myanmar], India and Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]: agrees with proposals to bring United States bombardment squadrons in India up to full strength and to transfer 34 heavy and medium bomber aircraft from British allocations; comments on the need to retain Kittyhawk aircraft for use in...

Scope and Contents

Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC commenting on operation "Ironclad" [occupation of Diego Suarez, Madagascar]: suggests that the towns of Tamatave and Majunga should also be occupied rendering the surrender of the whole island inevitable; offers to despatch a bomber squadron from Lindi [Tanzania] as soon as Diego aerodrome has been secured; comments on the need to rupture relations with Vichy France.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India] reporting from Colombo on his visit to Ceylon [later Sri Lanka].

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding immediate plans: comments on Malta, operation "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar], the Home Fleet, the Eastern Fleet, and the possibility of Admiral Sir James Somerville [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet] escorting a major convoy to Malta.

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] regarding plans to attack Madagascar (operation "Ironclad"): suggests the possibility of amphibious operations against Tamatave and Majunga once established at Diego Suarez; expresses gratitude for Smuts's offer of a bomber squadron and states that he will cable again on the question of the subsequent garrison of "Ironclad".

Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese Nationalist Leader] thanking him for his telegram about the state of affairs in Burma [later Myanmar] and commenting on the difficulties in providing air support. [See CHAR 20/73/120-123 for Chiang-Kai-shek's telegram].