Royal Air Force
Organization
Found in 103 Collections and/or Records:
Unknown
"Every man to his post", 11 Sep 1940
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/144/61-68
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's broadcast (BBC) on subjects including: the night bombing of London; the Battle of Britain and the successes of British fighter squadrons; the possibility of invasion and German deployment of barges, ships and troops in readiness; a call for every man and woman to do his duty; and the strength of British fleets and flotillas, air power, fortification and the million and a half men of the Home Guard. Includes the phrase "This wicked man [Adolf Hitler]...this monstrous product...
Dates:
11 Sep 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Unknown
"Every man to his post", 11 Sep 1940
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/176A/37-41
Scope and Contents
Draft speaking notes for WSC's broadcast (BBC) on subjects including: the night bombing of London; the Battle of Britain and the successes of British fighter squadrons; the possibility of invasion and German deployment of barges, ships and troops in readiness; a call for every man and woman to do his duty; and the strength of British fleets and flotillas, air power, fortification and the million and a half men of the Home Guard. Includes the phrase "This wicked man [Adolf Hitler]...this...
Dates:
11 Sep 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: lists of recordings by WSC and cuttings from "Into Battle" and "The Unrelenting Struggle"., [1941] - 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/3
Scope and Contents
Includes lists of recordings from the above books, "The Gathering Storm" [volume 1 of "The Second World War"], and "The World Crisis"; pages cut from: "Into Battle" featuring WSC's speeches (13 May, 28 May, 4 June, 18 June, and 20 August 1940) on becoming Prime Minister, the fall of Belgium, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk [France], and the role of the RAF in the Battle of Britain; and "The Unrelenting Struggle" featuring WSC's joint messages with President...
Dates:
[1941] - 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Appendices., Oct 1940 - 27 Dec 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/179A-I
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of the appendices to Volume 2 including: Appendix A "Minutes and Telegrams, May - December 1940"; Appendix B "Loss by Enemy Action of British, Allied and Neutral Merchant Tonnage"; Appendix D "Correspondence Relating to Dakar [Senegal] between Mr Churchill and Mr [Robert] Menzies" [Prime Minister of Australia]; Appendix E "List of Operational Code Names"; Appendix F "List of Abbreviations". The proofs are annotated with suggested amendments and...
Dates:
Oct 1940 - 27 Dec 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2 and appendices: 'Final' proofs., 16 Aug 1948 - 21 Feb 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/183A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz"; Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 22 "The Mediterranean Passage"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 13 "At Bay" (provisionally entitled "Alone"); Appendix A "Minutes and Telegrams, May -...
Dates:
16 Aug 1948 - 21 Feb 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2 and Appendices: Master copy proofs., 06 Dec 1948 - 21 Dec 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/181A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz"; Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 22 "The Mediterranean Passage"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State for War]; Chapter 26...
Dates:
06 Dec 1948 - 21 Dec 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2 and appendices: Proofs for Sir Edward Marsh., 25 Feb 1948 - 25 Aug 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/188A-C
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz" (provisionally entitled "The Blitz Continues"); Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State for War]; Chapter 26...
Dates:
25 Feb 1948 - 25 Aug 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2 and appendices: Proofs for William Deakin., 21 Aug 1948 - 30 Nov 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/192A-C
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz"; Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 22 "The Mediterranean Passage"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State for War]; Chapter 26...
Dates:
21 Aug 1948 - 30 Nov 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2 and appendices: 'Starred final' proofs., 22 Oct 1948 - 16 Feb 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/185A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 7 "Back to France"; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz"; Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 22 "The Mediterranean Passage"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State...
Dates:
22 Oct 1948 - 16 Feb 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Book 2: Proofs for CSC., 01 Mar 1948 - 29 Nov 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/190A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: contents tables for Book 2; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 17 "The Blitz"; Chapter 18 "'London Can Take It'"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 24 "Dakar" [Senegal]; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State for War]; Chapter 26 "Relations with Vichy [France] and Spain"...
Dates:
01 Mar 1948 - 29 Nov 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"., 03 Jan 1947 - 19 Nov 1951
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/162
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 16 entitled "The Battle of Britain", annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various individuals including: WSC, William Deakin, Denis Kelly, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall, Sir Edward Marsh, 1st Lord Cherwell [earlier F A Lindemann], 1st Lord Ismay, Sir Norman Brook [later 1st Lord Normanbrook, Secretary to the Cabinet], CSC and Elizabeth Gilliatt, WSC's secretary.Also includes: note from Jo Sturdee ["N S", later Lady...
Dates:
03 Jan 1947 - 19 Nov 1951
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Chapter 27 "Mussolini Attacks Greece"., Nov 1940 - 04 Dec 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/173
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 27 entitled [Benito] "Mussolini Attacks Greece", annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various individuals including: WSC, William Deakin, Charles Wood, Denis Kelly, George [Gordon] Allen, CSC, Anthony Eden [later 1st Lord Avon], 1st Lord Ismay and Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall.Some source material is also present in the file including: notes on the Greek campaign in Albania, 1940 - 1941; copy of a report by Air...
Dates:
Nov 1940 - 04 Dec 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Chapter 30 "Ocean Peril"., 02 Mar 1948 - 17 Oct 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/176
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 30 entitled "Ocean Peril" (provisionally entitled "The Air and the U-Boats" and "The End of the Year"), annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various individuals including: WSC, William Deakin, Denis Kelly, George [Gordon] Allen and CSC.Some source material is also present in the file, including: notes on the operational control of Coastal Command.Also includes: galley proofs from Volume 3, Chapter 3 "Blitz and Anti-Blitz....
Dates:
02 Mar 1948 - 17 Oct 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Comments by Sir Norman Brook., 28 Jan 1948 - 01 Nov 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/193
Scope and Contents
Includes notes by Sir Norman Brook [later 1st Lord Normanbrook, Secretary to the Cabinet] on Volume 2, on subjects including: Chapter 1 "The National Coalition"; Chapter 2 "The Battle of France. The First Week. [General Maurice] Gamelin"; Chapter 3 "The Battle of France. The Second Week. [General Maxime] Weygand"; Chapter 5 "The Deliverance of Dunkirk"; Chapter 8 "Home Defence. June"; Chapter 10 "The Bordeaux Armistice"; Chapter 13 "At Bay" (provisionally entitled "Alone"); Chapter 16 "The...
Dates:
28 Jan 1948 - 01 Nov 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Notes and comments by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall., 02 Mar 1941 - 16 Jun 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/196A-C
Scope and Contents
Includes notes and comments by Pownall on subjects including: factual and printing errors throughout Volume 2; the build-up to the German attack on the Soviet Union; the build-up to "Dynamo" [codename for the evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk, France]; the British Expedition Force; the meeting between 6th Lord Gort [Commander-in-Chief of British Field Force, earlier John Vereker] and General Maxime Weygand [Commander-in-Chief, French Army], May 1940; British casualties; the defence of...
Dates:
02 Mar 1941 - 16 Jun 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": 'Superseded' proofs., 01 Mar 1948 - 27 Aug 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/186
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs from: Chapter 12 "The Apparatus of Counter-Attack. 1940"; Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain"; Chapter 19 "The Wizard War"; Chapter 20 "United States Destroyers and West Indian Bases"; Chapter 21 "Egypt and the Middle East"; Chapter 23 "September Tensions"; Chapter 25 "Mr Eden's Mission" [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon, Secretary of State for War]; Chapter 27 [Benito] "Mussolini Attacks Greece"; Chapter 28 "Lend-Lease"; Chapter 30 "Ocean Peril" (provisionally...
Dates:
01 Mar 1948 - 27 Aug 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Various comments., 13 Jan 1945 - 15 Jul 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/197A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes notes and correspondence on research and corrections for Volume 2 from individuals including: Daniel Longwell [Editor of Life Magazine]; Professor Albert Goodwin [former Staff Officer, Air Ministry War Room, and member of Historical Branch, Air Ministry] on the Blitz, and WSC's chapters on the Blitz and Battle of Britain (includes comments by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall); George [Gordon] Allen on Operation "Sea Lion" [codename for planned German invasion of Britain], with...
Dates:
13 Jan 1945 - 15 Jul 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Various material., 22 May 1940 - 15 Jan 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/198
Scope and Contents
Includes: extracts from the Belgian press on the surrender of Belgium in 1940, with comments by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall; issue of the Air Ministry pamphlet "The Battle of Britain"; typescript draft of Chapter 16 "The Battle of Britain" annotated by WSC, Denis Kelly and [?] Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park [former Commander of No 11 Fighter Group]; supplements to the London Gazette on the Battle of Britain and the evacuation from Dunkirk [France], containing despatches from Air...
Dates:
22 May 1940 - 15 Jan 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: The Second World War, Volume 3 "The Grand Alliance", various material., Jul 1939 - Sep 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/248
Scope and Contents
Includes source material for Volume 3 of "The Second World War" including: correspondence from [George] Gordon Allen, William Deakin, Ian Montgomery [Private Secretary to Secretary of the Treasury], Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall, Alfred Bavin of the Cabinet Office, and "Pug" [1st Lord Ismay]; notes and transcripts of telegrams on the occupation of France, Operation "Menace" [the code name for the Anglo Free French mission to Dakar, Senegal] and the passage of French cruisers through...
Dates:
Jul 1939 - Sep 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: Prime Minister: Air Operations in Britain and North-West Europe, 1940-45: proofs of mainly contemporary despatches and reports for publication, with accompanying correspondence. [some material probably used in the production of WSC's "Second World War"]., Jun 1946 - Sep 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/245
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
This class comprises correspondence and papers relating to Churchill's wartime premiership. It includes: private office correspondence; personal telegrams; printed copies of personal minutes, telegrams and reports; correspondence relating to appointments and patronage; some family correspondence (for which see also CHAR 1); and some engagements cards and diaries. No distinction has been attempted between the offices of Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. The former title has been deemed...
Dates:
Jun 1946 - Sep 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Political: Constituency: Woodford [Essex]: correspondence with or on behalf of constituents, L-R., Jun 1945 - May 1946
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 3/26A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: [Claud] Wright, [Principal] (3) and M L Elder (8) of the War Office; J H Hughes of the Air Ministry (9); constituent R W McOwen (5); Sir James Hawkey [Chairman of Woodford Conservative Association] (8); Leslie Rowan [Principal Private Secretary to Prime Minister Clement Attlee]; [Hugh] Farmar [Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Air] (2); Sir George Harvie Watt; Archie Moore, Surgeon to the London Hospital, on a constituent's health; Joyce Gordon...
Dates:
Jun 1945 - May 1946
Conditions Governing Access:
Open, (folios 173-9 and 207-9 opened in 2022)
File
Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Wing-Commander Anderson., 01 Mar 1939 - 13 Nov 1939
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/372
Scope and Contents
Notes, memoranda and correspondence by and from Wing-Commander Charles Anderson [Commander No 1 Armament Training, Catfoss, Yorkshire], including: copy of Air Ministry Orders on short service commissions; notes on the strength of various squadrons; report by Air Commodore Hugh Champion de Crespigny, Air Officer Commanding No 25 (Armament) Group, on the armament training of No 144 (Bomber) Squadron, in bombing, gunnery and equipment; account of aircraft conditions for a bombing raid over...
Dates:
01 Mar 1939 - 13 Nov 1939
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Correspondence, A-B., Jan 1929 - Oct 1934
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/572A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Edward Marsh on an expression used by WSC; Cyril Alington, Headmaster of Eton College, on the education of Randolph Churchill (2); [1st] Lord Beatty on subjects including criticism of an obituary of Admiral Franz Hipper (5); Julian Amery; Nancy, Lady Astor on a disagreement with WSC; John Astor; Wilfrid Bailey; Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister, on subjects including WSC's "Marlborough: His Life and Times", WSC's health, Free Trade, India and political affairs (14);...
Dates:
Jan 1929 - Oct 1934
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Defence., 06 Nov 1936 - 20 Jan 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/371A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents on defence issues include: Sir Thomas Inskip [Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, later 1st Lord Caldecote]; Harry Sellar, Private Secretary to Inskip (2); Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, on subjects including the arming of the Guards Battalions; Sir Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air, on showing WSC [air construction graphs]; 1st Lord Swinton [former Secretary of State for Air, earlier Philip Cunliffe-Lister and Philip Lloyd-Greame] on the formation...
Dates:
06 Nov 1936 - 20 Jan 1942
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