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Royal Air Force

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Found in 310 Collections and/or Records:

 Fonds

The Papers of Thomas Elmhirst

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/ELMT
Scope and Contents

The papers include: official material, mainly from the 1920's and 30's and the Second World War; personal correspondence with Elmhirst's wife and family; Elmhirst's memoirs, both written and recorded; articles and lectures.

Dates: 1896 - 1977
Conditions Governing Access: The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
 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
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(Untitled), Apr 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258B/150
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(Untitled), 26 May 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258B/201-202
Scope and Contents

Minute [from F A Lindemann, later 1st Lord Cherwell, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant] to WSC on disagreements between the Minister of State [Lord Beaverbrook, earlier Sir Max Aitken] and the Secretary of State [for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, later 1st Lord Thurso] over pilot output and training aircraft. [Copy; given running number 309].

Dates: 26 May 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), [10] [Jun] [1941]

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258B/213-214
Scope and Contents

Note [from F A Lindemann, later 1st Lord Cherwell, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant to WSC] giving information on the comparative strengths of the British and German Air Forces in terms of aircraft output and losses and across various theatres. [annotated copy].

Dates: [10] [Jun] [1941]
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 10 Jun 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258B/215
Scope and Contents

Minute from "F.A.L." [F A Lindemann, later 1st Lord Cherwell, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant] to WSC attaching a note giving a summary of the main figures accepted by the Air Ministry for comparative strengths of the British and German Air Forces [see CHAR 20/258B/213-214] and setting out what he considers several "doubtful" points. Initialled by WSC on 15 June. [Copy; given running number 314B].

Dates: 10 Jun 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 08 Jul 1941 - 09 Jul 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258C/245-247
Scope and Contents

Minutes [from 1st Lord Cherwell, earlier F A Lindemann, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant] to WSC on the idea of WSC writing a letter to the managing director of a particular firm, producing weapons which effectively deal with tanks and aircraft, countering radio beam bombing, and comparing RAF, and German and Italian air force strengths in the Middle East and Mediterranean. [Copies; given running numbers 334, 335, 336, and 337].

Dates: 08 Jul 1941 - 09 Jul 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 04 Sep 1941 - 10 Sep 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/258C/294-302
Scope and Contents Series of minutes [from 1st Lord Cherwell, earlier F A Lindemann, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant] to WSC on: 1. RAF bomb requirements; 2. methods for increasing aircraft production, referring to a meeting arranged for 4 September; 3. United States aircraft production; 4. the import programme, commenting on estimates, use of shipping, materials and manufactures, and food; 5. the "points" system of rationing; 6. report by the British Merchant Shipping Mission in the United States; 7....
Dates: 04 Sep 1941 - 10 Sep 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 06 Jul 1942 - 02 Sep 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/56A/23-44
Scope and Contents Correspondence between WSC, James Stuart [Government Chief Whip], John Martin, Francis Brown, Leslie Rowan [Private Secretaries to WSC] and A L Armstrong and Eric Jackson, [Private Secretary to Minister of Aircraft Production], John Llewellin [Minister of Aircraft Production] and Sir William Brass [later 1st Lord Chattisham], former Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of Aircraft Production, on Brass's allegations about inadequate supply of aircraft spares and ministerial...
Dates: 06 Jul 1942 - 02 Sep 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), [Aug 1942]

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/56B/107-108
Scope and Contents

Memorandum [submitted by Sir Edward Bridges, Secretary to the Cabinet] examining proposition by the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] for co-operation between the Services through an overall commander. [See CHAR 20/56B/129-134 for Cripps's proposition].

Dates: [Aug 1942]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jul 1942 - 21 Sep 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/56B/121-184
Scope and Contents Correspondence between Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons], WSC and Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the Cabinet] on memoranda by Cripps on subjects including: dissatisfaction in Parliament, the vote of censure against the Government and public opinion over progress of war in the Middle East, including leadership, weaponry, research and invention and the RAF; lack of public morale, the direction of the war and need for improved co-operation between the...
Dates: 02 Jul 1942 - 21 Sep 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 04 Mar 1942 - 28 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/57B/157-183,185
Scope and Contents Letter from 1st Lord Hankey [Paymaster-General] to WSC enclosing memoranda on the use and techniques of Bomber Command and the dispersal of capital ships and their use against Japan, written before his resignation; forwarded to the Secretary of State for Air [Sir Archibald Sinclair, later 1st Lord Thurso] and Chief of Air Staff [Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal], the First Lord of the Admiralty [A V Alexander] and 1st Sea Lord [Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound]; with replies by...
Dates: 04 Mar 1942 - 28 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 23 Feb 1942 - 03 Aug 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/61/1-13
Scope and Contents Extract from Hansard with summary of Parliamentary questions from Major Charles Taylor and others to WSC about co-operation between the Army and RAF in the Middle East, and in their training; also includes copy of letter from Admiral Sir [William] Reginald Hall to Taylor on the control of air power in Egypt, with letters from Taylor to Brigadier George Harvie-Watt [Parliamentary Private Secretary to WSC], enclosing Hall's letter, thanking WSC for answering his questions, asking if he could...
Dates: 23 Feb 1942 - 03 Aug 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 05 Mar 1942 - 28 Sep 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/61/29-151
Scope and Contents Memoranda by 3rd Lord Tollemache, on subjects including: the defence of the Empire, on modernising the Imperial Defence Cabinet, the Ministry of Production and the Imperial General Staff; modern war on land, including the army, transport and supply; the Home Guard; the RAF; fuel supply co-ordination; improving the railways; army training; with covering letter from Tollemache to WSC including notes on supplying fighter aircraft to the Middle East and Far East and strategic islands in the...
Dates: 05 Mar 1942 - 28 Sep 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 24 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69A/33-34
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Commanders in Chief (Middle East) to WSC giving details of German and Allied army strengths at the beginning of "Crusader" [codename for British North African operation], including details of losses on both sides and reasons for Allied success.

Dates: 24 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jan 1942 - 28 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/1
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, January and February 1942. Some written by WSC when in the United States.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin, British Ambassador to the United States]; the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to...
Dates: 02 Jan 1942 - 28 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Oct 1942 - 31 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/8
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, October 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; the Chiefs of Staff; Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Jacob [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet].Subjects covered by the minutes include:...
Dates: 02 Oct 1942 - 31 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 31 Dec 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/6
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in- Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including a tank encounter to the south of Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya], the accuracy of RAF bombing and the movement of enemy ships from Ras el Aali.

Dates: 31 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/9-10
Scope and Contents

Telegrams from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including: activity in Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya]; RAF bombing of Ras Aali; prisoner-of-war figures; fighter planes over Agedabia; news from Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie [Commander of 8th Army] on the Allied capture of Bardia, and release of British prisoners-of-war.

Dates: 02 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/55-57
Scope and Contents Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] to WSC reciting his conclusions on the situation in the Middle East: states that "at present time neither our strength in tanks nor in air is such as to give any chance worth considering of a successful offensive"; gives details of tank and air strength; comments on the need for heavy bombers; comments on the view of General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] that there can be no offensive before mid-May; states that...
Dates: 21 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 29 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/126-129
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding bombing: states that bombing attacks are being made on U-boat nests and reports a successful raid on Lubeck [Germany]; comments on the policy of menacing U-boats in the Bay of Biscay and his keenness to add six bomber squadrons to this new Biscay patrol; comments on the need to bomb Germany and on a structural defect to the wing tip of Lancasters which requires the laying up of four squadrons; appeals that...
Dates: 29 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/13-14
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the heavy enemy air attack against Malta and British difficulties in providing adequate Spitfire reinforcements; asks that the United States aircraft carrier Wasp be used to take Spitfires from the Clyde [Scotland] to Malta and suggests the third week of April.

Dates: 01 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 13 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/89-90
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (Karachi [India, later Pakistan]) to WSC regarding the defence situation in India, particularly the air and naval situation and commenting on the need for heavy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft.

Dates: 13 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 14 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/96
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (Cairo [Egypt]) concerning the position of the Air Ministry with regard to supplying bombers to India.

Dates: 14 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open