310 Mr R. G. Casey, Minister to the United States, to Department of External Affairs
Cablegram 165 WASHINGTON, 27 January 1942, 10.36 p.m.
Prime Minister's telegram No. 16 [1] arrived while combined American-British Chiefs of Staff were in long conference. I managed to get communication to them based on Prime Minister's No.
16, and asked that the bomber matter might be considered at once by reason of its urgency. This was done and as a result Chiefs of Staff are endeavouring to bring about that Wavell [2] either takes active responsibility for defence of New Guinea area or, alternatively, that part of the American air reinforcements now presumably in Australia be made available to Australia for Australian (including New Guinea) defence.
I would be grateful if above be not quoted at the request of American Chiefs of Staff.