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Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] regarding the naval position in the Far East: describes ship movements and losses between 4 April and 9 April resulting from Japanese raids on Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] and Trincomalee [Ceylon]; comments on the relative strengths of Britain, the United States and Japan in aircraft carriers, aircraft and personnel; comments on future policy on the Eastern Fleet.

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Telegram from WSC to the Viceroy [and Governor- General] of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] expressing concern over poor progress in the construction of aerodromes in India and asking the Viceroy to look into the civil aspects of the question.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC outlining the situation in India, Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and Burma [later Myanmar]: comments on air strength; comments on the naval situation; comments on the defence of Ceylon; comments on difficulties in Burma and implications with regard to China; "Our tails are well up but not wagging very much as yet.".

Scope and Contents Telegram from John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia to WSC supporting a request by General Douglas MacArthur [Commander-in-Chief of Allied Forces, South West Pacific] for reinforcements; comments on the levels of forces from the United States in the South West Pacific; supports the request of General MacArthur for the temporary diversion to Australia of British forces rounding the Cape in late April and early May; supports the request of General MacArthur for an aircraft carrier and an...

Scope and Contents Telegram from Franklin Roosevelt [President of the United States] to WSC regarding "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]: encloses text of that night's speech referring to the recent change of power in Vichy France and stating that "The United Nations will take measures if necessary to prevent the use of French territory in any part of the world for military purposes by the Axis powers"; states that he fully approves WSC's third and fourth suggestions [of...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: thanks Roosevelt for his telegram about "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar] and for the use of USS Wasp; comments on the arrival of General Henri Giraud at Vichy [France]; comments on "desperate attacks" on the Tirpitz at Trondheim [Norway] and German retaliation against British towns near the coast; gives details of recent German aircraft losses over Norwich [Norfolk] and York;...

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt to WSC commenting on the Australian request for British divisions and additional marine assistance and also stating that he has had no official information concerning General Henri Giraud's alleged escape; states that John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] has probably made the request on his own responsibility based upon conversations with General Douglas MacArthur [Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces in the South West...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India] explaining why claims for reinforcements in the Far East cannot be met; comments on his subsequent telegram containing an appreciation by the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet [Admiral Sir John Tovey] [on the naval situation, see CHAR 20/74/82-83]; comments on a request by John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] for the diversion of two British divisions to Australia; comments on a proposed attempt to relieve Malta;...

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Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, reciting the text of a telegram of 28 Apr 1942 from John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC requesting reinforcements [see CHAR 20/74/59-60].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]: outlines the terms that the Force Commander [Rear-Admiral (Edward) Neville Syfret] should put to the Governor of Madagascar [Armand Annet]; states that he is including a statement that the operation has the full support of the United States; comments on arrangements for delivering a message from Roosevelt to Marshal Philippe Petain [Head...

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Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, regarding the effect of "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar] on troop reinforcements for India.

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Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, stating that General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma, later Myanmar] should be ordered to return to India as soon as his command falls below the level of a division.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC complaining that he is not being kept sufficiently informed about decisions affecting India; comments on the inability of R class battleships to face the Japanese fleet; states that he was not consulted about "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar] and comments on the need for the 5th Division in India.

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Telegram from Admiral Geoffrey Layton [Commander-in- Chief, Ceylon] reporting on progress in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] since 5 April 1942: outlines reinforcements and withdrawals; describes defensive works and reports on the RDF [Radio Direction Finder] situation; comments on aerodrome facilities and the likely zone of the main enemy landing; reports present airforce and army dispositions.

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Telegram from WSC to Governor of Burma [later Myanmar, Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] ordering him to return by air to India "If and when you feel you cannot do any good by remaining". Repeated to Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] with a request to pass a copy of the telegram to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India].

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Telegram from the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] to WSC stating that he will leave Burma [later Myanmar] at dawn on 5 May 1942: "With a very heavy heart I will obey your orders.".

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] stating that he cannot extract General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] from Burma [later Myanmar] until he reaches Kalewa.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India: undertakes to keep Wavell more fully informed of the whole picture and states that Lieutenant-General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to WSC] has responsibility for this; comments on "Operation Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]; comments on naval strength in the Indian Ocean; comments on the effect of damage to HMS King George V and the presence of the German battleship Tirpitz...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, commenting on the improving situation and declining Auchinleck's offer to denude the Middle East further for the sake of India; comments on the war in the Far East, the possibility of the Japanese menacing Port Moresby [Papua] and Darwin [Australia], and the Japanese reinforcement of the Russian - Manchurian front; comments on reasons for believing that a heavy invasion of India is not imminent and describes...

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC commenting on "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar], the situation in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and Burma [later Myanmar], General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma], and the defence of India.

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" requesting supplies of aircraft: asks for help in securing a loan of 200 Martlets (fighter aircraft) to help meet the threat posed by Japanese aircraft carriers equipped with fighter dive-bombers; asks for an early supply of transport aircraft for use by British airborne forces during the summer; suggests that American airborne units should be sent to train alongside their British...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [Commander Force "H" Sea Command] marked "most secret" commenting on the Madagascar operation [codenamed "Ironclad"]: states that the 13th and 17th Brigades must go on to India almost immediately; comments on the change in situation in the Indian Ocean, the build-up of the British fleet and the unlikelihood of an attempt by the Japanese to occupy Madagascar; states that Syfret must decide whether to take Tamatave and Majunga in the...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief India, marked "most secret" outlining objectives for the war in the Far East: comments on the transfer of troops from Madagascar; comments on plans to assemble the whole Eastern Fleet at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] and Port Trincomalee [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] before the middle of July and to recover effective control of the Bay of Bengal [Indian Ocean]; suggests that these dispositions will facilitate offensive...

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Telegram from Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [Commander Force "H" Sea Command] marked "most secret" discussing the feasibility of further operations in Madagascar to capture Tamatave and Majunga.

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Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief India] to WSC marked "most secret" regarding the situation in India: comments on estimates for the arrival of reinforcements; assesses principal dangers for the next two months; comments on problems of railway movement; promises to telegraph separately on the defences of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]; states that all operations will depend mainly on the strength of air force that can be provided.