Following from Mr. Churchill for Mr. Menzies in reply to his
telegram 23rd May [1], repeated to Mr. Mackenzie King, Mr. Fraser,
General Smuts. [2]

MOST PRIVATE AND PERSONAL

Your appreciation is concurred in and in addition we must expect
early heavy attacks on these Islands. For this we are preparing;

and we hope that our naval defence will be effective against the
large bodies, and that our land defence will deal with any
seaborne survivors after some rough work. Evidently the final
result will depend on the ability of our Air Force to make head
against the superior numbers, and help to destroy airborne
descents. Our Air Force will be far more effective in this country
for many technical reasons which I cannot give, than operating
overseas, and we believe that we are capable of limiting daylight
raids on forts [sic] [3] and factories to manageable proportions
on account of the number of casualties we shall inflict on the
German aviation being out of all proportion to our own air losses.

Night raids will be far less dangerous to precise targets. Anyhow
everyone here is resolved to fight it out.

Every form of intimate personal appeal and most cogent arguments
have already been sent to Roosevelt and we have demanded all the
aids you mention, except volunteer American airmen. This last
could not be asked for except in a public appeal, which is of
course out of the question at this moment. Roosevelt is doing his
best but must carry out [sic] [4] the Congress and public opinion,
still much diverted by the impending Presidential Election. If you
and the other Prime Ministers feel able to follow up our appeal by
a personal appeal from yourselves, this would be very welcome to
us. You will understand that we have been acting in France under
General Gamelin's [5] orders and conforming to French plans.

I saw Weygand [6] yesterday, who is attempting to execute
important operations in entire accord with us. Weygand made an
excellent impression upon us and has full control.

WINSTON CHURCHILL