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     4. British and American material to Russia must be carried
out in good faith.  If the Persian route of delivery is used,
preference must be given to combat material.  This aid must
continue as long as delivery is possible and Russia must be
encouraged to continue resistance.  Only complete collapse,
which seems unthinkable, should alter this determination on
our part.
 
     5. In regard to 1942, you will carefully investigate the
possibility of executing SLEDGEHAMMER.  Such an operation would
definitely sustain Russia this year.  It might be the turning
point which would save Russia this year.  SLEDGEHAMMER is of
such grave importance that grave reasons are
to accomplish it.  You should strongly urge immediate all-out
preparations for it, that it be pushed with utmost vigor, and
that it be executed whether or not Russian xxxxxxxxx collapse
becomes imminent.  In the event of probable Russian collapse, 
SLEDGEHAMMER becomes not merely advisable but imperative.
The principle objective of SLEDGEHAMMER is the positive
diversion of German Air Forces from the Russian Front.
 
     6.  Only if you are completely convinced that SLEDGEHAMMER
is impossible of execution with reasonable chances of serving
its intended purpose, inform me.
 
     7.  If SLEDGEHAMMER is finally and definitely out of tee
picture, I want you to consider the world situation as it 
exists at that time.
 
          It is my present view of the world picture that:
 
          (a) If Russia contains a large German force against
          her, ROUNDUP becomes possible in 1943, and plans for
          ROUNDUP should be immediately considered and prepa-
          ration made for it.
 
          (b) If Russia collapses and German air and ground
          forces are released, ROUNDUP may be impossible of
          fulfillment in 1943.
 
     8.  The Middle East should be held as strongly as possible
whether Russia collapses or not.  I want you to take into 
consideration the effect of losing the Middle East.  Such loss
means in series:
 
 
          (1) Loss of Egypt and the Suez Canal.
 
          (2) Loss of Syria.
 
          (3) Loss of Mosul oil wells.
 
          (4) Loss of the Persian Gulf through attacks from
          the north and west, together with access to all
          Persian Gulf oil.