We are in close consultation with Bruce [1], and conclusions
reached in this telegram are founded on his appreciation, which is
based on information at his disposal-
We are following the present position with tense anxiety, and are
fully conscious that if the present German drive northwards from
Amiens to Abbeville continues, it will not only give command of
all the Channel ports to Germany but gravely jeopardise the whole
British and Belgian Armies.

We have no clear appreciation of the reasons for unaccountable
collapse of the French Seventh and Ninth Armies, but assume that
the Allies have had no counter ground measures to the combination
of bombers and tanks. Further, we assume that the only effective
counter is the bombing aeroplane.

It also appears to us that the Allies are suffering from a grave
disadvantage in numerical inferiority in the air. Thus we are
forced to the conclusion that the immediate expansion of the air
arm is the most vital necessity of the moment.

This necessity will become paramount if the enemy occupies the
Channel ports or embarks on large scale air operations against
Britain. It will be obvious that in the initial stages such
operations will be directed against our main centres of war
material production, especially air, which will necessarily affect
output at the most critical time.

In view of these possible contingencies, and of the general
position so far as it affects the countries of the civilized world
not yet under the domination of Nazism, we think that an immediate
personal appeal should be made to President Roosevelt for the
release of every available aircraft, not only drawing upon those
now in use by the United States Army and Fleet Air Arm, but those
immediately due for delivery.

Further, we should appeal for volunteer American airmen along
similar lines to the assistance rendered to Spain by German and
Italian military volunteers during the Spanish Revolution.

In this appeal, all the dangers and consequences to America as
well as to the British Empire, not only of the present grave
difficulties, but of the possibility of Allied submission to
Germany and the loss of the British fleet, should be stressed.

At the same time it should be emphasised we are not requesting
direct American participation-a step we gather the American people
are not yet prepared to take-and also be emphasised that we are
fully confident of our ability to bring about the defeat of
Germany provided there is liberal co-operation in the immediate
supply of aircraft.

I am sending copy of this to Smuts, Fraser and Mackenzie King [2]
and suggesting that if their thoughts run along parallel lines
they communicate with you immediately, with a view to the appeal
to Roosevelt being not joint but a several one, but so far as
possible simultaneous and indicative of a unity and spontaneity of
feeling that the whole civilized world is looking to him for all
assistance he can conceivably render.

MENZIES