Message from the Prime Minister for the President dated July 
                           31st, 1942.                      
 
                                                            
 
 
I should be grateful for a decision about command of "BOLERO", 
      "SLEDGEHAMMER", "ROUND-UP" and "TORCH". 
      It would be agreeable to us if General Marshall were designated 
      for supreme command of "ROUND-UP" and that in the meantime 
      General Eisenhower should act as his deputy here. We would appoint 
      General Alexander as task force commander in the first instance 
      to work with and under General Eisenhower. Both these men would 
      work at "TORCH" and General Eisenhower would also for 
      the time being supervise the "BOLERO"-"SLEDGEHAMMER" 
      business. He will thus be able to draw up for "TORCH" 
      the necessary forces with least injury to "BOLERO" 
      and "ROUND-UP". As soon as "TORCH" has taken 
      shape he would command it, with Alexander and an American commander 
      as task force commanders of two forces starting from United Kingdom 
      and United States. When this party starts out to do the job we 
      should be glad if you would nominate either General Marshall 
      or another locum tenens to carry forward the work of "BOLERO", 
      "SLEDGEHAMMER'' and "ROUND-UP". We will supply 
                     him also with a deputy.                
 
                                                            
 
 
2. It seems important to act quickly, as committees are too 
      numerous and too slow. If you prefer other arrangements pray 
      let me know your wishes.