The sustained air attacks on London, the main industrial centres,
and the south-eastern counties generally, are creating some
anxiety as to the effects that are being achieved by the enemy. At
this distance from the scene of operations and source of
information our concern may be attributed to the fact that the
D.W. advices [1] can only give a day to day description, and the
weekly summaries a close-up impression of current events. While
fully realizing the heavy burden the Service staffs are bearing,
we lack a periodical appreciation which sums up the trend of
operations and endeavours to strike a balance as to their results.

2. The reasons which preclude more specific details in the daily
and weekly advices are of course fully understood, but it would be
extremely helpful for me to receive an appreciation of the
military position in the United Kingdom, including observations on
the undermentioned aspects. The report would be for my personal
information and for communication of my impressions verbally to
colleagues in the War Cabinet-
(1) The war at sea
(i) The reasons for recent heavier sinkings, including ships in
convoy, comparisons of trend in enemy and British strengths and
offensive and defensive tactics of both sides.

(2) The war in the air
(i) A review of the damage due to enemy bombing in respect of-
(a) military objectives; (b) civil objectives.

(ii) The results of (i) (a) on-
(A) Air Strength; (B) Military production.

(iii) The results of (i) (b) on-
(A) Commercial production.

(iv) The results of (i) (a) and (b) on-
(A) the morale of the people and their social life generally;

(B) the degree of interruption to the commercial life of the
community.

(v) Reference to some quantitative index to show the results being
achieved by the aircraft industry in the United Kingdom and U. S.

A. and comparative trends of British and German strengths.

(vi) Reduction of enemy losses in daylight raids due to reduction
in bombers and increase in fighters is noted.

(vii) (a) What improvements is it possible to state are being
effected in defence against night bombing?
(b) Is night bombing being carried out largely at random?
(c) What changes are being made by the enemy in his methods and
munitions?
(d) Are the weight of the attacks and their effects causing any
perturbation from the military and/or the civil aspects?
(viii) (a) With the advent of winter, what is the probable trend
of the position in respect of daylight and night attacks and
defence against same?
(b) Are the considerations in (a) equally applicable to the R.A.F.

offensive on Germany?
(c) Where does the balance of advantage he between (a) and (b)?
(ix) Some comparative observations on the strategy, tactics,
morale and equipment of Royal Air Force and the German Air Force.

3. The advices regarding the strengthening of the British Forces
in the Middle East by naval, military and air forces and
acceleration of delivery of equipment have been noted with
interest. In view of these steps and recent events in the
international political sphere I would be grateful if the
appreciation furnished in Dominions Office Z. 168 of 3rd July [2]
and Z. 183 of 13th July [3] could be reviewed and a further report
furnished by United Kingdom Government for our information.

4. In the latter connection please see Dominions Office cablegram
No. 382 of 4th October [4] regarding despatch of 7th Division to
Middle East and our reply No. 500 of 24th September. [5] Should be
glad if you would discuss with United Kingdom authorities and
ascertain significance of distinction between 'no reasonable risk'
referred to in our cablegram and 'no great risk' referred to in
Dominions Office reply.

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