Prime Minister's telegram No. 16 [1] arrived while combined
American-British Chiefs of Staff were in long conference. I
managed to get communication to them based on Prime Minister's No.

16, and asked that the bomber matter might be considered at once
by reason of its urgency. This was done and as a result Chiefs of
Staff are endeavouring to bring about that Wavell [2] either takes
active responsibility for defence of New Guinea area or,
alternatively, that part of the American air reinforcements now
presumably in Australia be made available to Australia for
Australian (including New Guinea) defence.

I would be grateful if above be not quoted at the request of
American Chiefs of Staff.