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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.

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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...

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Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC informing him of a proposal to hold a conference in Ottawa [Canada] in May to discuss the Air Training Programme and the renewal of the Empire Training Plan on an overall basis for the United Nations.

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 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 the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC giving details of the movement of American aircraft to India.

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Telegram from the Governor of Malta [Lieutenant- General Sir William Dobbie] regarding the need for "most drastic action" to gain and maintain air superiority if Malta is to be held; comments on recent Spitfire losses and the urgent need for supplies.

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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 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;...

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Telegram from the Viceroy [and Governor-General] of India, [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC regarding aerodrome construction 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 marked "Hush - Most Secret" from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] (Malta) to WSC regarding the supply of reinforcements and provisions to Malta and outlining the importance of achieving air superiority.

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 the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC marked "personal and secret" regarding the movement of American equipment and personnel to Britain: states that the failure of the United States to meet minimum requirements for carrier fighters in 1942 means that he cannot loan Martlets [fighter aircraft] to Britain; comments on plans to move air transport units to Britain; welcomes invitation for American parachutists to train in Britain and states that a...

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding the allocation of combat aircraft manufactured in the United States: argues that planes should be removed from reserve status and that every appropriate American-made aircraft should be manned and fought by an American crew; comments on changes in conditions and suggests that the Combined Chiefs of Staff determine the strength of aircraft to be maintained in the respective theatres of war; proposes...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" regarding the President's proposals for the allocation of combat aircraft: states that the sole objective must be the optimum air impact on the enemy "irrespective of whether British or United States pilots man the aircraft"; calls for a common expansion plan; asks that General Henry Arnold [Chief of United States Army Air Force] and Towers be sent at the earliest possible moment and...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret": reports on the signing of a treaty [of alliance between Britain and the Soviet Union]; comments on Vyacheslav Molotov [Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs] and asks for Roosevelt's impressions; states that all has gone well with the Northern convoy but that the next two days will be serious; comments on talks with General Henry Arnold [Chief of United States Army Air Force] and Towers...

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Telegram from John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC marked "most secret" commenting on the report he has received from Herbert Evatt [Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney General] on the results of his mission to London: thanks WSC for his assurances of support and practical assistance, including provision of three Spitfire squadrons and an RAF squadron, and proposes to express his Government's appreciation in the Australian parliament.

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Telegram from WSC to the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] marked "most secret" outlining reasons why more heavy bombers cannot be sent to support the Malta convoy in June.

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Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC marked "most secret and personal" congratulating WSC on the blitz on Cologne [Germany] and commenting on the battle in Libya and the enemy submarine attack at Diego Suarez [Madagascar].