112 Mr R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister, to Mr S. M. Bruce, High Commissioner in London

Your cable 18th March. [1] After consideration I entirely agree with your views regarding causes of recent failures and the necessity to take steps to avoid future repetition.

Impression from this end is that diplomatically we have been too much on the defensive and that activity and aggression badly needed if position is not to deteriorate. Even in military sense it would appear that more aggressive action needed particularly in the air. Continued use of air raids for dropping leaflets is now usually received with ridicule in Australia and serves to lend colour to a feeling that we are playing while the enemy means business and gets there first every time. [2] You might convey these views to Eden [3] but if you would like me to cable direct I will do so.

MENZIES