Skip to main content

Royal Air Force

 Organization

Found in 310 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/128-130
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India: comments on fighter and bomber strengths in India and Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and details reinforcements; comments on plans to build up a powerful naval force in the Indian Ocean under Admiral Sir James Somerville [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet]; comments on the strategic importance of holding Colombo [Ceylon] and preserving the link with China; states that he is sending Wavell extracts of a telegram from...
Dates: 19 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/135-136
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] reciting a note drafted by Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal [Chief of the Air Staff] regarding air reinforcements for Burma [later Myanmar], India and Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]: agrees with proposals to bring United States bombardment squadrons in India up to full strength and to transfer 34 heavy and medium bomber aircraft from British allocations; comments on the need to retain Kittyhawk aircraft for use in...
Dates: 19 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 23 Apr 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/11
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Governor of Malta [Lieutenant- General Sir William Dobbie] regarding the need for "most drastic action" to gain and maintain air superiority if Malta is to be held; comments on recent Spitfire losses and the urgent need for supplies.

Dates: 23 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 29 Apr 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/70-72
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: thanks Roosevelt for his telegram about "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar] and for the use of USS Wasp; comments on the arrival of General Henri Giraud at Vichy [France]; comments on "desperate attacks" on the Tirpitz at Trondheim [Norway] and German retaliation against British towns near the coast; gives details of recent German aircraft losses over Norwich [Norfolk] and York;...
Dates: 29 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 02 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/101-104
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Admiral Geoffrey Layton [Commander-in- Chief, Ceylon] reporting on progress in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] since 5 April 1942: outlines reinforcements and withdrawals; describes defensive works and reports on the RDF [Radio Direction Finder] situation; comments on aerodrome facilities and the likely zone of the main enemy landing; reports present airforce and army dispositions.

Dates: 02 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 04 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/112-113
Scope and Contents

Telegram marked "Hush - Most Secret" from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] (Malta) to WSC regarding the supply of reinforcements and provisions to Malta and outlining the importance of achieving air superiority.

Dates: 04 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 12 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/17-19
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" requesting supplies of aircraft: asks for help in securing a loan of 200 Martlets (fighter aircraft) to help meet the threat posed by Japanese aircraft carriers equipped with fighter dive-bombers; asks for an early supply of transport aircraft for use by British airborne forces during the summer; suggests that American airborne units should be sent to train alongside their British...
Dates: 12 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Jun 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/76/138
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC marked "private and most secret" complaining about the campaign in the British press attributing the deteriorating situation in Libya to the failure of the RAF to support the Army and the Malta convoys.

Dates: 20 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 28 Jun 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/34-36
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC marked "personal and most secret" reporting on the battle in North Africa: States that General Claude Auchinleck [Commander in Chief Middle East] is telegraphing him directly and regularly from Eighth Army Headquarters; comments on Auchinleck's plan of campaign ; states that the battle will be a mobile one fought between Matruh [Egypt] and El Alamein [Egypt] and southwards to the Qattara depression [Egypt];...
Dates: 28 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 30 Jun 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/47
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC marked "personal and most secret" reporting on the latest situation in Egypt and commenting on RAF mobilisation, arrangements for the defence of the Delta, and the plans of Admiral Henry Harwood [Commander in Chief Mediterranean] for supporting the Eighth Army and evacuating merchant shipping from Alexandria [Egypt].

Dates: 30 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 30 Jun 1942 - 01 Jul 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/49
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC suggesting that the Royal Air Force concentrate its maximum bombing force against the German army and ports in North Africa instead of bombing towns in Germany.

Dates: 30 Jun 1942 - 01 Jul 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 04 Jul 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/67
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commander in Chief Mediterranean] praising the role of the Royal Air Force in the battle for Egypt: "The days of the Battle of Britain are being repeated far from home.".

Dates: 04 Jul 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 05 Jul 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/71
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Air Marshal Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commander in Chief Mediterranean] to WSC marked "personal" thanking him for his inspiring message: "All of us are determined to do our utmost and more to help the Army to clear the enemy out of Africa.".

Dates: 05 Jul 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 04 Oct 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/80/118
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Minister Resident in West Africa [Lord Swinton, earlierPhilip Cunliffe-Lister] marked "personal and most secret": expressing pleasure that he has been able to reach agreement locally on the policy for defence of aerodromes; commenting on the training of local RAF station personnel by British army personnel; referring to the need to give a high priority to the passage of RAF personnel required for the depots and staging points on the Takoradi route [Gold Coast, later...
Dates: 04 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 09 Oct 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/37
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Minister Resident in west Africa [Lord Swinton, earlier Philip Lloyd Greame and Philip Cunliffe Lister] to WSC marked "most secret" regarding the use of the Royal Air Force Regiment: states that the RAF Regiment personnel already here should be sufficient to train station personnel providing they are themselves sufficiently trained to act as instructors; comments on importance of supervisory personnel for air route construction.

Dates: 09 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 22 Oct 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/86
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Air Marshal Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding in Chief Middle East] to WSC marked "important most secret" thanking him for his message: "Have just visited my squadrons whose battle of course has already begun. They are fighting fit and determined to clean up this affair.".

Dates: 22 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 24 Oct 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/99
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Resident Minister in West Africa [Lord Swinton, earlier Philip Lloyd Greame and Philip Cunliffe Lister] marked "most secret" informing him of details of the arrival of the British Catalina Squadron in West Africa and the American B.24's on Ascension Island.

Dates: 24 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 01 May 1944 - 31 May 1944

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/152/5
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, May 1944.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers, particularly Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon]; Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the...
Dates: 01 May 1944 - 31 May 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/94A/33-34
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Sir Archibald Sinclair [later 1st Lord Thurso, Secretary of State for Air] marked "Secret" stating: that he hopes that he is not refusing to allow the War Cabinet to inquire into the use of manpower in the Royal Air Force; that a similar examination has already been carried out about eight months ago; that he has received a letter from A V Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, the First Lord of the Admiralty] saying that the Admiralty would welcome an inquiry on...
Dates: 20 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), Mar 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95B/217-221
Scope and Contents Memorandum entitled "The Attitude of Members of the RAF Serving in South Africa" by John Colville stating how disappointed he was by the attitude of the RAF towards South Africa and the South Africans which he blames on ignorance, home sickness and boredom and suggesting that careful and intelligent preparation is given to all those drafted to South Africa. He adds that he has met a South African officer Captain Lennox Short, a former Information Officer, who is very keen to be consulted if...
Dates: Mar 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 01 Jul 1943 - 31 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/104/1
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, July 1943.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; the Chiefs of Staff; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; "C" [Major General Sir Stewart Menzies, Head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service].Subjects covered by the minutes...
Dates: 01 Jul 1943 - 31 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 01 Aug 1943 - 28 Aug 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/104/2
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, August 1943. Some written by WSC when in Canada and the United States.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers, particularly Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon]; the Chief Whip [James Stuart]; the Chiefs of...
Dates: 01 Aug 1943 - 28 Aug 1943
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), [Jun] [1933]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/193/130-131
Scope and Contents

Extract from a book [by James Johnston, retired member of the Indian Civil Service] criticising the apparent intention to rely on the RAF rather than the Army to maintain internal order in India. Sent with CHAR 2/193/128-129.

Dates: [Jun] [1933]
Conditions Governing Access: From the Fonds: The Churchill Papers are made available to researchers using Churchill Archives Centre and worldwide in digital format. The digital edition of the Churchill Papers is published by Bloomsbury Academic and is available online to subscribing institutions at churchillarchive.com. The Churchill archive is freely available in our reading rooms and onsite at Churchill College (via the Churchill College wireless network). Researchers can download images of documents directly from churchillarchive.com and so are encouraged to consider bringing a laptop or other device for this purpose. For conservation reasons, the fragile originals are no longer issued to researchers. This digital edition is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue. Some material has been closed by the Cabinet Office or by Churchill Archives Centre in accordance with data protection legislation.
 Item

(Untitled), 01 Mar 1941 - 31 Mar 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/36/3
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, March 1941.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chiefs of Staff; senior civil servants including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet], Sir Horace Wilson [Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury and official Head of HM Civil Service], and Sir Alexander Cadogan...
Dates: 01 Mar 1941 - 31 Mar 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 01 May 1941 - 31 May 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/36/5
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, May 1941.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; Sir Horace Wilson [Permanent Secretary of HM Treasury and official Head of HM Civil Service]; Eric Seal [WSC's Principal Private Secretary]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Sir Alexander...
Dates: 01 May 1941 - 31 May 1941
Conditions Governing Access: Open