Royal Air Force
Organization
Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
File
Public and Political: General: Correspondence., 01 Oct 1937 - 30 Dec 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/299
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Shane Leslie; Sir Hubert Young [Governor and Commander- in-Chief of Northern Rhodesia, later Zambia]; General Sir Ian Hamilton on claims by Margot, Lady Oxford and Asquith [earlier Margot Asquith] on the resignation of 1st Lord Haldane [as Lord Chancellor, 1915] (2); Marshal of the RAF 1st Lord Trenchard on meeting the German Official Air Mission; Bernard Freyberg; 1st Lord Beaverbrook [earlier Sir Max Aitken] on the Privy Councillorships of F E Smith [1st Lord...
Dates:
01 Oct 1937 - 30 Dec 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Defence: Correspondence etc., 12 Jan 1936 - 27 Nov 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/266A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Basil Liddell Hart [Military Correspondent to the Times] on the troop system used in India; "Harold R" [1st Lord Rothermere, earlier Sir Harold Harmsworth] on subjects including 1st Lord Weir's position in defence [as Adviser to the Air Ministry], the likely stop to any battleship programme, pilot training, the likelihood of a quick German victory against Britain and France, German contempt for the British Government, and the Government's refusal to discuss the...
Dates:
12 Jan 1936 - 27 Nov 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open, (folio 93 opened as a 'sanitised' photocopy, original closed on advice of Cabinet Office).
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 06 Nov 1951 - 22 Dec 1951
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/45A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes and extract from Hansard for WSC's speech (6 November, House of Commons) for the debate on the address, on subjects including: the political divisions in the country; the charge of war-mongering laid against the Conservatives, and the need for steady government; the restoration of university representation in Parliament; the repeal of the Iron and Steel Nationalization Act; future parliamentary business, including the defence debate; keeping the Minister of Education out of the...
Dates:
06 Nov 1951 - 22 Dec 1951
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 01 Jul 1952 - 20 Sep 1952
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/48A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (1 July, House of Commons) entitled "The Korean War" on subjects including the early demoralization of Communist forces in Korea, then the success of their negotiations and rebuilt forces; the heavy costs suffered by Britain and the United States during the armistice; harm caused by anti-American feeling in Parliament; the treatment and exchange of prisoners of war, including forcing anti-Communist soldiers to return to China or North Korea; Labour's motion of...
Dates:
01 Jul 1952 - 20 Sep 1952
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 23 May 1940 - 04 Jul 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/140A-B
Scope and Contents
Statement by WSC (23 May) on fighting in France. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard. Published: Complete Speeches VI p 6223.Hansard copy of statement by WSC (28 May) on the fall of Belgium. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6223-4.Notes for WSC's speech (4 June) entitled "Wars are not won by evacuations" on the fall of Belgium, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk [France] and the successes of the RAF. Speech includes the phrase "We shall fight on the...
Dates:
23 May 1940 - 04 Jul 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 08 Oct 1940 - 19 Dec 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/142A-B
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (8 October) on the Battle of Britain, the Home Guard and the Home Front, Hitler's threat to invade Britain, events at Dakar [Senegal], the desertion of Vichy France, the Burma road [between Burma, later Myanmar, and China] and events in Spain. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6284-94.Notes for WSC's statement (17 October) on Robert Boothby [Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Food] and Czechoslovak claims.Notes for WSC's speech (5 November) on the war situation,...
Dates:
08 Oct 1940 - 19 Dec 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 16 Feb 1933 - 07 Nov 1933
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/103
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (22 February) entitled "Broadcasting and political controversy" on the reporting of political affairs and the BBC. Source material includes minutes of a meeting of the Doran Committee on the BBC. Published: Complete Speeches V pp 5221-4.Rough notes for WSC's speech (14 March) on air estimates, criticising the disarmament conference at Geneva [Switzerland] and arguing for a strong British air force. Published: Complete Speeches V pp 5229-34.Notes for WSC's speech (22...
Dates:
16 Feb 1933 - 07 Nov 1933
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 22 Feb 1938 - 24 Mar 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/128
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (22 February) on [Anthony] Eden's [later 1st Lord Avon] resignation as Foreign Secretary, Eden's achievements, relations with Italy, and past foreign policy mistakes, which includes the phrase "This has been a good week for Dictators". Source material includes text from the Daily Telegraph on the Italian view of Eden, and a cutting on German reaction to international press criticism. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 5911-7.Rough notes for WSC's speech (28 February)...
Dates:
22 Feb 1938 - 24 Mar 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 23 May 1940 - 19 Jun 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/172
Scope and Contents
Statement by WSC (23 May) on fighting in France. Published: Complete Speeches VI p 6223.Statement by WSC (28 May) on the fall of Belgium. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6223-4.Speech notes for WSC's speech (4 June) entitled "Wars are not won by evacuations" on the fall of Belgium, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk [France] and the successes of the RAF. Speech includes the phrase "We shall fight on the beaches . . . We shall never surrender". Source material...
Dates:
23 May 1940 - 19 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 25 Jun 1940 - 21 Nov 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/173A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (25 June) entitled "The fall of France" on the capitulation of France, the surrender of the French fleet to Germany and his visit to see [Paul] Reynaud [Prime Minister of France]. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6239-41.Statement by WSC (4 July) on the British destruction of the French fleet at Oran [Algeria]. Source material includes notes on the co-ordination of intelligence, the role of the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Forces [General Sir Alan Brooke,...
Dates:
25 Jun 1940 - 21 Nov 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 19 Jul 1944 - 08 Aug 1944
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/200A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's statement (2 August) on the war situation including: successes against Germany and Japan world-wide including the Far East; decisions made at the Quebec [Canada] conference; the Normandy landings; RAF losses; the tanks supplied by the United States and praise for the Sherman and Churchill tanks; the progress of General Sir Harold Alexander [Commander in Chief of the Allied Armies in Italy]; his hopes of victory; flying bombs and the evacuation of London; improved...
Dates:
19 Jul 1944 - 08 Aug 1944
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes (some by WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty) and other material., 30 Mar 1940 - 01 Oct 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/144
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's broadcast (30 March, BBC) entitled "A hideous state of alarm and menace" on the fate of the neutral nations, German atrocities, particularly in Poland, and wishing to avoid conflict with the Soviet Union. Also includes various cuttings reporting the speech. Part published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6199-201.Notes for WSC's broadcast (19 May, BBC) entitled "Arm yourselves and be ye men of valour" on the war situation in France and the formation of the coalition government,...
Dates:
30 Mar 1940 - 01 Oct 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Unknown
"Their Finest Hour", 18 Jun 1940
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/140A/32-55
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (18 June) entitled "Their Finest Hour" on subjects including: fighting in France; the importance of unity and respect for government Ministers; preparations, defence and forces for fighting invasion by Germany, the strength of the Royal Navy; the campaign in Norway; forecasting the Battle of Britain and the determination of the RAF; support from the Dominions. He ends "Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and...
Dates:
18 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Unknown
"Wars are not won by evacuations", 04 Jun 1940
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/140A/9-28
Scope and Contents
Typescript copy of notes for WSC's speech on the fall of Belgium and surrender of King [Leopold] of Belgium; the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk [France]; the successes of the RAF; losses of men and weaponry; military development and the possibility of German invasion. Speech includes the phrase "We shall fight on the beaches . . . We shall never surrender".Carbon typescript copy with some manuscript annotations in ink [not by WSC] laid out in "psalm style" apart...
Dates:
04 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open