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...

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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.

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

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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.

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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".

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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].

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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 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.

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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.