I have carefully reviewed your letter regarding the Strength of
armed forces in Australia which was presented to me through the
Department of State on 18th October, 1942. [2]

I appreciate the anxiety of your Government concerning the absence
of forces in the Middle East. I am, however, convinced that our
common cause can best be served if the 9th A.I.F. Division is
allowed to remain in the Middle East.

I realize of course that the message to me was a copy of a similar
message to Prime Minister Churchill and I am aware that his answer
to you may be from an entirely different point of view. [3]
However I am prepared to offer a means to ameliorate not only
Australia's present position but the position in that area of the
United Nations as well.

It will be possible to despatch a United States division to
Australia from Hawaii. This is a readjustment in the Pacific which
I feel is justified in the existing situation. However it must be
appreciated that the situation may develop in such a manner as to
require the diversion of this additional division for Australia to
another locality within the South or South-West Pacific Areas
where its employment will be of greater advantage to the defence
of Australia.

I assume that sending this division will obviate the necessity for
the Australian War Council to call back the 9th A.I.F. Division
from the Middle East. I cannot too strongly stress that leaving
the 9th A.I.F. Division in the Middle East will best serve our
common cause.

ROOSEVELT