Reference your cable 363 [1], I am sending a message through you
to Churchill. [2]

I agree with your general approach subject to one criticism: I
cannot believe that the occupation of Crete and Cyrenaica by
Germany would not result in creating another problem like that of
the Sicilian Narrows in the waters between Crete and Africa.

Further, unless we can push Germany back westward from Sollum, I
anticipate such an air reinforcement of German Forces in Libya
that Alexandria may be seriously threatened.

Nothing in our knowledge of the tank position in the Middle East
suggests that mechanised forces could be diverted from Sollum to
Syria, and I have therefore thought fit to emphasise to Churchill
the paramount importance of air reinforcements so that the
occupation of Syria by carrier planes may be defeated.

MENZIES