Your cablegram 171[A] of 20th October, 9th Division. [1]

It is desired to point out that:-

(a) owing to the reasons previously stated, no further
reinforcements for the 9th Division are being despatched from
Australia;

(b) the Government is not agreeable to the Division being broken
up by replacement of wastage from ancillary and other units;

(c) it is essential that the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East,
should have regard to this position in his use of the Division.

Attention was invited to this in my cablegram Johcu 38 of 30th
July to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. [2]

2. In view of the manpower position outlined in cablegram No.461
to the Dominions Office [3], and the military position in the
South-West Pacific Area, the Government is obliged to reaffirm the
purport of Johcu 38.

3. Please emphasise the crucial importance of the above
considerations to the United Kingdom Government. [4]

CURTIN