Reference your S.W.113.

Prime Minister's message to the President [1] was conveyed to
Sumner Welles for urgent transmission to the President early in
the afternoon of December 23rd, Washington time.

At 4.30 p.m. today I received direct from White House a letter
dated December 23rd requesting me to transmit to the Prime
Minister in reply to his message of December 8th, which is set out
in Prime Minister's telegram No. 166 [2], the following:

'Dear Mr. Curtin:

I can appreciate your concern regarding the battle wastage in your
current operations in New Guinea, because it coincides with the
experiences of our troops there and in the Solomons. It is hoped
that these fine Australian and American fighters may be given the
rest they deserve, and that their units may be restored to full
strength.

With regard to the 9th Australian Imperial Division, I feel that
its withdrawal should be contingent on the conditions stated in my
message to you of December 2nd. [3] When the decision has been
made regarding its return to Australia, the equipment which is to
accompany it should be a matter of determination by Australian and
British Chiefs of Staff.

They will be influenced by the need for the equipment in the
Middle East and by cargo space available. [4]

Sincerely Yours

Franklin Roosevelt.'