Historical documents
Cablegram 48[A] LONDON, 18 March 1942, 10 p.m.
IMMEDIATE FOR THE PRIME MINISTER MOST SECRET PERSONAL HIMSELF
Without prejudging the wide issues raised in Dominions telegram
319 [1] it is, in my view, clear that final decisions will provide
for control of the Pacific area in Washington.
Whether that control will be exercised as visualised in paragraphs
7, 8 and 9 or not the United States Chiefs of Staff must obviously
play a considerable part. [2] America, however, has had no
experience of war and the machinery for strategic and operational
control will in great measure have to be created. I suggest that
the importance cannot be exaggerated of our sending to Washington
the best Staff Officers we have available. The influence of
outstanding men of war experience, personality and ability in face
of America's lack of war experience may be tremendous even if
their defined functions are only those indicated in paragraph 9.
I would also suggest that you should urge New Zealand to do so as
well, borrowing, as would probably be necessary in their case,
suitable individuals from United Kingdom services.
BRUCE
[AA:A3195, 1942, 1.11269]