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251 Dixon to Evatt

Cablegram S95 WASHINGTON, 31 July 1943

IMMEDIATE PERSONAL

The following message has been received for you from the
President.

Message begins:

'Dear Doctor Evatt:

I have your note of 13th July [1] and thank you for your
expression of warm appreciation of our efforts to provide aircraft
for the Royal Australian Air Force.

I am glad to learn that the allotment of aircraft for the Royal
Australian Air Force for 1943, with the exception of heavy
bombers, is satisfactory to you both as to numbers and types of
aircraft. To give the Royal Australian Air Force greater striking
power, heavy bombers are needed, and I can understand your
disappointment in not securing an allotment. My military advisers
tell me that, because of pressing prior commitments, no heavy
bombers can be made available to Australia during 1943.

Nevertheless, it is my wish that heavy bombers be supplied to the
Royal Australian Air Force in order that they can carry the war
deep into Japanese territory, and I hope to make some available in
1944.

I cannot promise this definitely now. However, by the last of
November our production schedules of heavy bombers for 1944 can be
forecast more accurately and our plane losses by attrition and in
battle will be known more definitely. Not until then can a
definite commitment be made. I can assure you that I will then
give this matter my personal supervision.

Sincerely yours,

(SIGNED) Franklin D. Roosevelt.'

Message ends.

I have given a copy to Williams who informs me that the
allocations of aircraft proposed by Arnold and referred to in your
last letter to the President were considered at meeting of the
Combined Chiefs of Staff yesterday, Friday. Williams presented
views on lines discussed with you with result 1943 allocations
have been approved and Arnold, Welsh [2] and Williams appointed
Committee to review the remainder. Williams is writing you in
detail by bag. [3]

The above message from the President was presumably drafted before
yesterday's meeting of the Combined Chiefs of Staff although
received after it.

1 Document 244.

2 Air Marshal Sir William Welsh, R.A.F. Member, U.K. Joint Staff
Mission in Washington.

3 This letter has not been found.


[AA:A3300, 258]
Last Updated: 11 September 2013
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