Reference Prime Minister's Department telegram 49. [1] Following
reply to the Prime Minister's message has just been received from
the White House:-

Begins: Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

I have your message regarding additional aircraft for the South
West Pacific which was submitted to me by Sir Owen Dixon on March
18th.

Within the last few days General MacArthur has been informed of
the aircraft to be allocated to the South West Pacific theatre in
1943. [2] They represent the maximum that could be made after
weighing the needs of all theatres in which our forces are
employed. Actually there has recently been an upward revision of
the number of aircraft allocated to the South West Pacific over
what had previously been considered possible. A very considerable
increase has been made in number of transport planes.

In your message you point out the Japanese capability of massing
1,500 to 2,000 aircraft in the South West Pacific theatre. I feel
the United Nations have even greater capabilities. Past experience
has indicated the feasibility of the South-West Pacific and South
Pacific Areas being mutually supporting in the use of their
available aircraft. For some months past we have held the
initiative. This forces the Japanese to meet our concentrations
and reduces the likelihood of their being able to create sizable
concentrations of their own. The strategical importance of the
gallant battle the forces of our two countries are waging in the
South West Pacific is fully appreciated by me and every effort
will be made to provide the necessary aircraft. However, the
necessity of balancing our resources throughout all theatres, in
line with our strategy and limitations imposed by a shortage of
shipping, prevents our allocating to any one theatre the total
force we should like it to have. Roosevelt.

Ends.

DIXON