The following for the Prime Minister [2] from the Prime Minister.

I. With further reference to My 210 relative to the 9th Division
A.I.F. [3] an earlier reply has not been possible owing to need
for consultation with the Supreme Commander South-West Pacific
Area and the Commander of the Allied Land Forces. [4]

2. The view of the Supreme Commander is that the 9th Division
could be allowed to remain in the Middle East if Naval and Air
strength were provided as asked for in the appreciation of 3rd
April which was prepared by the Australian Chiefs of Staff and the
Supreme Commander's representative' and submitted to the Pacific
War Council by the High Commissioner on 8th April. He is of the
opinion that any agreement to its retention in the Middle East
should be conditional on the earliest possible provision of the
required Naval and Air strength.

3. The Government has noted the conclusions of the United Kingdom
Chiefs of Staff on the Australian Chiefs of Staff appreciation
submitted to Sir Earle Page in cablegram No. 42 [6], to the effect
that 'the Allied aim should therefore be to build up the land, air
and local naval forces in Australia and New Zealand to a point
where they can stand without the immediate support of the United
States Fleet, and can ensure that they will not be defeated before
the United States Fleet is able to return to sever the enemy's
communications with her invading forces'. [7] It has also noted
Dominions Office No. 362 [8] containing the reasons of the United
Kingdom Chiefs of Staff against the suggestion of the Australian
Chiefs of Staff for the early concentration of an Allied Naval
Force of the composition and strength proposed by them for
offensive action against Japan.

4. The Government's view is that all Australian troops abroad
should be returned to Australia, but it appreciates the
difficulties at this stage in giving effect to its wishes in
regard to the 9th Division owing to the shipping position which
governs both their replacement in the Middle East and transfer
here. It is therefore prepared to agree to the postponement of the
return of this Division until it can be replaced in the Middle
East and the necessary shipping and escort can be made available
for its transportation to Australia.

5. The Government desires to draw attention to an important aspect
emphasized by General Blamey now that the remainder of the A.I.F.

has returned to Australia or is at Ceylon and due to return later.

As their comrades have returned, the troops of the 9th Division
cannot be retained abroad indefinitely without their morale being
affected, particularly as they know that the others came back
because their homeland is threatened. [9]

6. In regard to the provision of reinforcements from the United
States for Australia, we understand from Dr. Evatt that the
President said that, broadly speaking, all American Forces in
Australia, or to go to Australia in the future, are being
despatched unconditionally and without any question of Australia's
right to decide the destination of the A.I.F. [10] 7. With
reference to your offer to divert the Divisions referred to in
Winch Nos. 20 and 21 [11], which has been gratefully acknowledged,
our advisers observe that, should Japan be able to launch an
invasion on the scale mentioned by you, she would have such
command of the sea that it would probably be impossible to
reinforce Australia to any great extent by seaborne forces.

CURTIN