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.

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