Letter MELBOURNE, 5 January 1944

SECRET

I had a letter from Oliphant the other day which shewed that the
tube alloys [1] work was going ahead with amazing vigour in U.S.A.
I won't put details into this note, but evidently the
possibilities are being taken increasingly seriously.

Oliphant all through has been very keen that Australia should play
a part in this work. I discussed the whole matter with Tizard [2]
in some detail, but he was inclined to the view that Oliphant was
exaggerating things a little and suggested that we hasten slowly.

Since his return, I have heard nothing further from him, but I am
expecting a message soon.

Oliphant hinted some time ago that he would like an Australian or
two to be associated with the work, and I have just received the
following most secret personal telegram from him. It runs:-

'Would you release Burhop [3] for the duration to take part in
urgent semi-theoretical work on tube alloys problems with Massey
and Condon in Berkeley. [4] On account of his past experience
Burhop could advance materially the use of the new weapon. Recent
release of Cockcroft [5] and Massey for this work is indication of
its impor tance. If you are favourably inclined can arrange for
official request from Appleton [6] and the Lord Chancellor [8] who
can confirm this problem.'

I have, of course, not spoken to Burhop about this, nor shall I
until I hear from you. It seems to me a good opportunity to get
one of our fellows into a line of work, and amongst a group of
people, which will give him wonderful opportunities for activity;
but is Burhop, the right man, and what will happen to the valve
laboratory here?

Martin' may regard this as an added argument for his coming down
here to take charge, but I feel very certain that you must have
somebody to relieve you of laboratory control to some extent in
order that you may be able to get out more amongst the Service
people. There seems to be no one but Martin for that job.

Altogether the matter is just a little difficult and provides
another reason for my disappointment at being unable to get up to
Sydney tonight for oral discussion with you.

• 1 Code name for the Anglo-American program to develop an atomic
  bomb.
• 2 Sir Henry Tizard, President of Magdalen College, Oxford.
• 3 Dr E. H. S. Burhop, a Melbourne graduate with Cambridge research
  experience had joined the Council for Scientific and Industrial
  Research on secondment. He was released for work on the Manhattan
  Project, that part of 'Tube Alloys' based in the United States, in
  May 1944.
• 4 Dr H. S. W. Massey, Technical Officer, U.K. Scientific and
  Industrial Research Mission to the University of California at

  Berkeley. He was a Melbourne graduate with Cambridge research
  experience. Dr Edward V. Condon was a U.S. physicist who helped to

  assemble the Manhattan Project personnel.

• 5 Dr J. D. Cockcroft, Chief Superintendent of the U.K. Air Defence
  Research and Development Establishment, became Director of the

  Montreal Laboratory of the National Research Council of Canada in
  1944.

• 6 Sir Edward Appleton, Secretary of the U.K. Dept of Scientific
  and Industrial Research.
• 7 Matters relating to 'Tube Alloys' were normally handled on
  behalf of the U.K. Govt by Sir John Anderson, Chancellor of the

  Exchequer, and it appears to have been Anderson who was intended
  rather than Lord Simon, the Lord Chancellor.

• 8 Dr L. H. Martin, Associate Professor of Natural Philosophy,
  University of Melbourne, seconded to C.S.I.R.

[CSIRO ARCHIVES:SERIES 380, ITEM 5]