Royal Air Force
Organization
Found in 64 Collections and/or Records:
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"Aerial Operation Committee: First Meeting: Draft Minutes", 26 Sep 1917
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 27/5/2-4
Scope and Contents
Minutes of the AOC on subjects including: the committee's terms of reference to investigate the output of aircraft; discussion of existing air programmes; shipping output; Ministry of Munitions and increased demand.Typescript.
Dates:
26 Sep 1917
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: News of the World articles by WSC 1., Apr 1938 - May 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 8/614
Scope and Contents
Includes annotated proofs, galley proofs and cuttings from the News of the World for: "How Wars of the Future will be Waged" on the importance of the horse in the Boer War, of machine-guns and tanks in World War I, the need for foresight and initiative amongst generals, and the importance of air power in a future conflict; "Future Safeguards of National Defence" on the importance of the Navy to national defence, the German submarine campaign in World War I, the threat of air attacks on ships...
Dates:
Apr 1938 - May 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: News of the World articles by WSC: 2., May 1939 - Jun 1939
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 8/643
Scope and Contents
Includes annotated proofs, galley proofs, and cuttings from the News of the World for: "Our Rule Britannia Office of State" on the history and structure of the Admiralty, his experience of it during World War I, the replacement of coal-driven ships with oil-powered, the Admiralty yacht, the Enchantress, and praise for the Navy; "The Cinderella of Our Fighting Services" on the War Office, his experiences over demobilisation and mutinies at the end of World War I, and conscription; "Will There...
Dates:
May 1939 - Jun 1939
Conditions Governing Access:
Open.
File
Literary: Sunday Chronicle articles by WSC: 3 ("The World Crisis" series)., 28 Apr 1940 - 08 Jun 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 8/676
Scope and Contents
Includes cuttings from the Chronicle for: "My Fight for Sea Power" on the strengthening of the Royal Navy in the years immediately preceding the First World War, the development of the 15 inch gun, and working with Admiral of the Fleet 1st Lord Fisher, 1st Sea Lord; "Into the Jaws of Death" on British submarine action in the Dardanelles [Turkey]; "Invasion" on the [first] Battle of the Marne [France]; "Battle of the Tanks" on the development of the tank, and its use at Paschendaele [Belgium]...
Dates:
28 Apr 1940 - 08 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open.
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Various material., 23 Nov 1934 - 07 Jul 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/143A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes notes and correspondence on research and corrections for Volume 1 of "The Second World War", from individuals including: General Alphonse Georges on the French Air Force, 1930 - 1940; Alan Gomme-Duncan [earlier Alan Duncan]; Michael Joy, Foreign Office; Sir Orme Sargent [Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs] on records of Soviet support for the Allies in 1938; Richard Law [later 1st Lord Coleraine] on meetings with WSC concerning Soviet support in 1938; 1st Lord...
Dates:
23 Nov 1934 - 07 Jul 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 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": 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
Official: Munitions., 21 May 1917 - 31 Dec 1917
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 15/57
Scope and Contents
A (Air) Various papers including proceedings of Anglo-French conference on Aeronautical supplies; memo by WSC on the estimated output of aircraft for 1917; notes on the limitations controlling the output of complete aeroplanes and seaplanes by Sir William Weir with reply by WSC; letter from Lord Cowdray to General Jan Smuts on the functions of the Air Board; correspondence between Lord Weir and Major R C Bolling, United States Aeronautical Commission; Statement by Weir on Aeronautical supply...
Dates:
21 May 1917 - 31 Dec 1917
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: Treasury: correspondence., 11 Jan 1926 - 16 Jul 1926
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 18/27
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Walter Guinness [later 1st Lord Moyne, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries] (2) including one on agricultural policy; Sir Robert Burton-Chadwick [Parliamentary Secretary, Board of Trade]; Sir James Craig [later 1st Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland] and Hugh Pollock [First Minister of Finance for Ulster, Ireland] (2) on the Northern Irish unemployment fund; Air-Marshal Sir Hugh Trenchard [Chief of the Air Staff] on air force economies; Neville...
Dates:
11 Jan 1926 - 16 Jul 1926
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War and Air: correspondence, much on demobilisation problems., 01 Jan 1919 - 31 Jan 1919
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 16/3
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Lieutenant-General Travers Clarke [Quartermaster-General to the British Armies in France]; Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig [Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces in France and Flanders] (2); 1st Lord Milner [Secretary of State for the Colonies]; High Commissioner [?in Siberia, Robert Hodgson]; Lieutenant-General 10th Lord Cavan, Commander-in-Chief, Italy; General Sir Henry Wilson [Chief of Imperial General Staff]; Sir Eric Geddes [Minister without Portfolio]...
Dates:
01 Jan 1919 - 31 Jan 1919
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War and Air: WSC's minutes., 01 Apr 1919 - 28 Jun 1919
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 16/16A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes carbon copies of minutes (some annotated in reply) from WSC to various individuals including: Deputy Chief of Imperial General Staff [Major-General Charles Harington]; Director of Military Intelligence [Major-General William Thwaites]; Deputy Director of Military Operations and Military Intelligence [Colonel George Cockerill]; Master-General of the Ordnance [Lieutenant-General Sir William Furse]; Quartermaster-General [Lieutenant-General Travers Clarke]; Secretary [War Office, Sir...
Dates:
01 Apr 1919 - 28 Jun 1919
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Prime Minister's Directives., 27 Jun 1940 - 30 Dec 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/4
Scope and Contents
Printed directives by the Prime Minister, WSC, on subjects including: War Cabinet arrangements; the brevity of reports; the unlikelihood of invasion from the sea, including a note by Sir Dudley Pound, 1st Sea Lord; draft notes on defence against invasion, including notes by the Chiefs of Staff; the priority of the air force; strengthening the army; munitions; the reinforcement of Malta; relations with Vichy France in the Mediterranean; strengthening the forces in the Mediterranean; the...
Dates:
27 Jun 1940 - 30 Dec 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Prime Minister's Directives., 18 Dec 1941 - 30 Dec 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/10
Scope and Contents
Printed directives by the Prime Minister, WSC, on subjects including: the future conduct of the war; the Pacific and the Japanese fleet; the entry of the United States into the war; the Atlantic Front; the Indian Ocean; the function of the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey]; Vichy France's co-operation with Germany; the function of the Minister Resident in West Africa [1st Lord Swinton, earlier Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister, earlier Sir Philip Lloyd-Greame]; Fleet Air Arm...
Dates:
18 Dec 1941 - 30 Dec 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Deputations to the Prime Minister., 21 Jul 1936 - 21 Jan 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/270
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Clement Attlee [Leader of the Opposition] refusing to join the deputations to the Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin; Osmund Cleverly [Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister]; Henry Pownall [Deputy Secretary], Committee of Imperial Defence; Hastings Ismay [Deputy Secretary], Committee of Imperial Defence] (2).Also includes: extracts from the transcript of the first deputation, including [?] WSC on the Government's failure to expand the air industry and the RAF...
Dates:
21 Jul 1936 - 21 Jan 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Wing-Commander Anderson., 20 May 1936 - 24 Nov 1936
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/271
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and notes from Wing-Commander Charles Anderson, Director of Training, Air Ministry, later commander of RAF Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, including: RAF personnel statistics; notes on training Air Observers; a memorandum on RAF training policy in general, including morale, the RAF's function, its readiness for war, reserves, funding, the dangers of over-specialization, the problems of rapid expansion, the shortage and increase in training schools, and specialised training;...
Dates:
20 May 1936 - 24 Nov 1936
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Wing Commander Anderson., 27 Jan 1937 - 07 Jul 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/303
Scope and Contents
Includes notes, memoranda and correspondence by and from Wing Commander Charles Anderson [former Director of Training, Air Ministry] and commander of RAF Hucknall [Nottinghamshire], including: Anderson on RAF intake, obsolete armaments and aircraft, poor facilities, the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Sir John Steel, the difficulties arising from expansion of the RAF, a mass flight over London, German war economics, and building up the RAF Reserve; correspondence and notes by Group Captain...
Dates:
27 Jan 1937 - 07 Jul 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Air Defence: Wing Commander Anderson., 22 Oct 1935 - 23 Dec 1937
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/304
Scope and Contents
Includes notes, memoranda and correspondence from and by Wing Commander Charles Anderson [former Director of Training, Air Ministry] and commander of RAF Hucknall [Nottinghamshire] and Group Captain Lachlan MacLean, including: Anderson on the RAF's lack of inspiration and poor morale, new Home Commands organization and levels of debt among RAF officers; MacLean on subjects including the shortcomings of aircraft, aircraft production and maintenance, officer levels, air defence exercises,...
Dates:
22 Oct 1935 - 23 Dec 1937
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Defence., 08 Jan 1938 - [1940]
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/336
Scope and Contents
Correspondents on defence issues include: 5th Lord Munster [earlier Geoffry FitzClarence] (2); Robert Cary on developments in Japanese naval armaments and the implications for Singapore; Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister, on WSC's notes on aircraft types (2); Sir Henry Strakosch (3); F A Lindemann [later 1st Lord Cherwell] on Strakosch's figures for the air raids on Barcelona [Spain]; [Eric] John Hodsoll [Inspector-General], Home Office ARP Department, on the state of the ARP programme,...
Dates:
08 Jan 1938 - [1940]
Conditions Governing Access:
Open