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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume III

261 — The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand1

page 294

261
The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the Prime Minister of New Zealand1

31 December 1941

My telegram of 24 December [No. 256].

On receipt of your telegrams [No. 258] and No. 550 of 25 December,2 it appeared to us that the best way of getting assistance from the United States would be to ask them to undertake one specific task. Our Chiefs of Staff have therefore despatched the following telegram to the Joint Staff Mission in Washington:

‘Reference New Zealand telegrams [No. 258] and No. 550, you should urge the United States to meet as many as possible requirements for the defences of Fiji, and in particular to provide a garrison for Nandi aerodrome of each of one [group mutilated – infantry brigade?] of three battalions, one or two tank squadrons, one light anti-aircraft battery, one heavy anti-aircraft battery, together with air squadrons and the necessary ancillaries for the above. In addition, mines, from [group omitted – United States sources?], and patrol boats will be required.’

In the meantime, we are accepting the possibility of sending equipment from here, but the final decision will have to await an answer from the United States.

1 Repeated to the Prime Minister of Australia and by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of Fiji.

2 No. 550 is not published.