SOUTHEAST ASIA COMMAND HEADQUARTERS.            
 
                       20th November, 1944                  
 
                                                            
 
 
I have deliberately refrained from writing before, knowing 
      how terribly inundated you would be with congratulatory messages. 
      However, I do feel that as one of your Allied Commanders, who 
      has the honor to have so many American forces in his command, 
      it is my privilege to write and offer you my most heartfelt congratulations 
                       on your re-election.                 
 
                                                            
 
 
It makes a tremendous difference to me personally to know 
      the head of the State I am serving, as it gives one such an extra 
                      feeling of confidence.                
 
                                                            
 
 
Although I think the separation of the American Command between 
      the China theatre and my own theatre is a very logical step, 
      I was sorry to see Stilwell go, not only because I personally 
      liked him but because it meant that I lost my beloved Al Wedemeyer, 
 who has been such a tower of strength to me during the last
 
                                                            
 
 
I should like to pay a tribute to the way Stilwell led American, 
      British and Chinese forces on the Ledo front in person. May I 
      say that I consider he thoroughly well earned the K.C.B. for 
                     which I recommended him.               
 
                                                            
 
 
The operations in North Burma on all fronts have been going 
      according to program and are along the lines which you have always 
      indicated to me to be in accordance with your wishes. 
 
      I am making every effort to scrape together sufficient forces 
      to start amphibious operations in this theatre with whatever 
      landing craft and landing ships you and the combined Chiefs of 
      Staff can see your way to letting me have. I think I may truly 
      say that everyone in the Command has kept their tails well up, 
      in spite of our annual October disappointments in the way of 
                            resources.                      
 
                                                            
 
 
I am so glad that you have appointed Lieutenant General R.A. 
      Wheeler to be my Deputy. We all love and trust him and I am sure 
      that he and Lieutenant General D. I. Sultan and my Commanders-in-Chief 
      between them will help to raise the good feeling between the 
     %  British and American forces in this theatre to the same high 
             level as Eisenhower has always attained.       
 
                                                            
 
 
Lieutenant General Leese has already arrived and has taken 
      over the Allied Land Forces with his customary energy.
 
                                                            
 
 
The death of Air Chief Marshal Leigh Mallory when flying out 
      to take over the air command has been a bitter blow to me, but 
      I have no doubt that the chief of the Air Staff will soon send 
      us another young ant aggressive Commander-in-chief to take his 
                              place.                        
 
                                                            
 
 
I am most sorry to be losing Admiral Fraser from the South 
      East Asia theatre, as he has been a very good friend to me; however, 
      I am certain that Vice Admiral Power will do very well in common 
      of the new East Indies Fleet which will support my Amphibious 
                           operations.                      
 
                                                            
 
 
Please remember me to Mrs. Roosevelt and to Harry and Jimmy 
                      if they are with you.                 
 
                                                            
 
                      Yours very sincerely,                 
 
      Dickie Mountbatten