I have now seen Prime Minister's telegram to you [2] which is
broadly in line with what I told you in my telegram E. 7. [3]

Whatever your reactions to the telegram are I am in a position to
know that it was intended to be helpful and friendly.

The word[ing] of paragraph 4 is unfortunate but might, I suggest,
be overlooked. The intention behind the unhappy word 'mistake' was
that it would be serious for the common cause if the 9th
Australian Division was transferred from the Middle East to
Australia because it could not be immediately replaced for
transport reasons and because utilisation of shipping for the
transference from one combat area to another would preclude the
bringing into the joint combat areas of one and possibly two
additional divisions.

The main issue that emerges from the telegram is whether or not
Australia is immediately threatened with such an attack as would
justify the diversion suggested in paragraph 1 of the Prime
Minister's telegram notwithstanding the seriousness of the
position in India and Burma and the need to reinforce Auchinleck
[4] so that he could take the offensive and thus relieve the
position of Malta which is becoming increasingly critical.

In establishing this point I suggest the desirability of giving
chapter and verse, e.g. opinion of MacArthur [5] and Australian
Chiefs of Staff The desirability of diversion has also to be
examined from the point of view of avoiding a critical situation
arising rather than only ordering it when the crisis has occurred.

In this examination the dire needs of India, Burma and the Middle
East referred to above have to be taken into account.

With regard to aeroplanes, munitions and supplies generally, I
believe the position will best be dealt with down the lines of (5)
in my telegram E. 7 [6] and I am obtaining details as to what
actually is afloat at the present moment.

With regard to our special requirements, e.g. Bofors, R.D.F. [7]
etc. following on Prime Minister's telegram to you a re-
examination of what could possibly be done is being undertaken.

BRUCE