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

Cablegram 836 LONDON, 24 September 1940, 7.10 p.m.

FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET

MIDDLE EAST. Have just heard, though not yet confirmed, that air
reinforcements which were being steadily sent to Middle East have
been stopped. This due to the Prime Minister's [1] obsession with
problem of defence of these islands.

While appreciating the importance of this, do not consider that
the retention of Middle Eastern air reinforcements could have
marked effect here, while may be decisive in that theatre.

Am pressing strongly that flow to the Middle East should not be
stopped. [2]

BRUCE

1 Winston S. Churchill.

2 On 27 September Bruce reported: 'War Cabinet this morning
decided scheduled reinforcements for October should be despatched
notwithstanding strenuous efforts of Beaverbrook [U.K. Minister
for Aircraft Production] that they should be retained here.' See
cablegram 855 on file AA:A1608, A41/1/1, xiii.

[AA:A3195, 1940, 1.8313]

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