Royal Navy
Organization
Found in 29 Collections and/or Records:
Unknown
"Give us the tools", 9 Feb 1941
Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/150A/52-75
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's broadcast (BBC) on the war situation including: the repulsion of the threat of German invasion, the Blitz and the bombing of Britain; the strength of British spirit; the Italian attack on Greece; successes in Libya and Egypt, including victory at Sidi Barrani under General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander in Chief Middle East] and General [Henry] Wilson; successes of the British Mediterranean Fleet against the Italian navy under Admiral [Sir Andrew] Cunningham...
Dates:
9 Feb 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: correspondence with consultants and others on WSC's war memoirs ("The Second World War", mainly volumes 1 to 4), A-L., Sep 1946 - Mar 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/22
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: [George Gordon] Allen (6); William Deakin (5); Prime Minister Clement Attlee on House of Commons' questions on German invasion plans in 1940; Eva, Lady Keyes, on 1st Lord Keyes and King Leopold of Belgium (2); Arthur Birse [one of WSC's wartime interpreters] on WSC's talks with Marshal Stalin in 1942; Alfred Bossom; Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the Cabinet until 1946] (4); Sir Philip Morris [later 1st Lord Morris of Kenwood]; Sir George Bull; Ronald Fraser,...
Dates:
Sep 1946 - Mar 1949
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Appendices: Copy and provisional proofs., 20 May 1938 - 20 Feb 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/112
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of the appendices to Volume 1 including: Appendix A "A Conversation with Count [Dino] Grandi" [Italian Ambassador to Britain]; Appendix B "A Note on the Fleet Air Arm"; Appendix D "My Statement on the Occasion of the Deputation of Conservative Members of Both Houses to the Prime Minister, July 28 1936"; Appendix F "Tables of Naval Strength, September 3 1939"; Appendix G "Minute of September 12 1939, Plan 'Catherine'"; Appendix H "New Construction and...
Dates:
20 May 1938 - 20 Feb 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Appendices etc.: Proofs for and notes by [George] Gordon Allen., 06 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/139A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by [George] Gordon Allen of the following appendices to volume 1: Appendix A "A Conversation with Count [Dino] Grandi" [Italian Ambassador to Britain]; Appendix B "A Note on the Fleet Air Arm"; Appendix C "Memorandum on Supply Organisation"; Appendix D "My Statement on the Occasion of the Deputation of Conservative Members of Both Houses to the Prime Minister, July 28 1936"; Appendix F "Tables of Naval Strength,...
Dates:
06 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Book 2: Master copy proofs., 26 Mar 1948 - 21 Jul 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/120
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: Chapter 22 "War"; Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 24 "The Ruin of Poland"; Chapter 25 "War Cabinet Problems"; Chapter 26 "The Front in France"; Chapter 27 "The Combat Deepens"; Chapter 28 "The Magnetic Mine"; Chapter 29 "The Action off the River Plate"; Chapter 30 "Scandinavia. Finland"; Chapter 31 "A Dark New Year"; Chapter 32 "Before the Storm"; Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "The Clash of the Fleets"); Chapter 34 "Narvik"; Chapter...
Dates:
26 Mar 1948 - 21 Jul 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Proofs for 1st Lord Cherwell., 23 Oct 1947 - 24 Jan 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/132
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs and typescript annotated with comments and suggestions by 1st Lord Cherwell [earlier F A Lindemann] of the following chapters: Chapter 9 "Problems of Air and Sea, 1935 - 1939" (provisionally entitled "Air Defence Research"); Chapter 11 "Hitler Strikes, 1936"; Chapter 14 "Mr [Anthony] Eden [later 1st Lord Avon] at the Foreign Office: His Resignation"; Chapter 15 "The Rape of Austria, February 1938"; Chapter 16 "Czechoslovakia"; Chapter 17 "The Tragedy of Munich"...
Dates:
23 Oct 1947 - 24 Jan 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": 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
Official: War Cabinet: Chiefs of Staff Committee: weekly resumes., 30 May 1940 - 01 Aug 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/5
Scope and Contents
Printed reviews of the naval, military and air situation, including: the evacuation of Dunkirk [France]; minelaying and minesweeping; Scandinavia; Italy; the Balkans; air defence; air attacks on Germany and Britain; losses of shipping; the Western Front; the Mediterranean; the North Sea; enemy naval intelligence; the French fleet; Africa; the German and Italian Air Forces.
Dates:
30 May 1940 - 01 Aug 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Chiefs of Staff Committee: weekly resumes., 01 Aug 1940 - 03 Oct 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/6
Scope and Contents
Printed reviews of the naval, military and air situation, including: home waters; the Mediterranean; attacks on shipping; enemy shipping; minelaying; minesweeping; Germany; the Middle East; Africa; air defence; air attacks on Germany and Italy; enemy intelligence; the Balkans; home security; economic warfare; Italy; the North Sea; the United States; the Soviet Union.
Dates:
01 Aug 1940 - 03 Oct 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Chiefs of Staff Committee: weekly resumes., 03 Oct 1940 - 14 Nov 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/7
Scope and Contents
Printed reviews of the naval, military and air situation, including: home waters; the Mediterranean; Africa; shipping losses; enemy intelligence; enemy shipping; minelaying and minesweeping; the Soviet fleet; Italy; the Balkans; the North Sea; air intelligence; home security; the Middle East; enemy air attacks; Germany; air operations.
Dates:
03 Oct 1940 - 14 Nov 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Chiefs of Staff Committee: weekly resumes., 14 Nov 1940 - 26 Dec 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/8
Scope and Contents
Printed reviews of the naval, military and air situation, including: home waters; the Mediterranean; enemy intelligence; shipping losses; enemy shipping; minelaying and minesweeping; Germany; the Balkans; the Middle East; air attacks on enemy territory; air attacks on Britain; Italy; Africa; air intelligence; home security.
Dates:
14 Nov 1940 - 26 Dec 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Political: Defence - correspondence with Prime Minister Clement Attlee., Mar 1946 - Aug 1950
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 2/29A-B
Scope and Contents
Other correspondents include: Oliver Lyttelton [later 1st Lord Chandos]; Anthony Eden [later 1st Lord Avon] (2); A V Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Hillsborough] on Czechoslovak railways; Francis Graham-Harrison, Laurence Pumphrey (2), and Paul Osmond, Private Secretaries to the Prime Minister; Laurence Helsby [Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister]; Antony Head (2); 1st Lord Cherwell [earlier F A Lindemann]; Clement Davies [Leader of the Liberal Party]. Also includes notes...
Dates:
Mar 1946 - Aug 1950
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 27 Feb 1950 - 28 Mar 1950
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 5/33A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes and typescript for WSC's speech (7 March, House of Commons) for the debate on the address, on subjects including: the stalemate in the new Parliament and the need for electoral reform; uncertainty until the next election; increasing food production; unemployment; cutting taxation; restoring the value of sterling; repealing the nationalization of the iron and steel industry; enlarging the building trade to solve the housing problem; the risk of Britain being split into Labour and...
Dates:
27 Feb 1950 - 28 Mar 1950
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
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: 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 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
Item
(Untitled), 01 Nov 1943 - 31 Dec 1943
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/104/5
Scope and Contents
Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, November and December 1943. Some written by WSC when in the Middle East [and Carthage, Tunisia, and Marrakesh, Morocco].Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Sir Alexander Cadogan [Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs]; Desmond Morton [Prime Minister's...
Dates:
01 Nov 1943 - 31 Dec 1943
Conditions Governing Access:
Open.
Item
(Untitled), 01 Mar 1942 - 30 Mar 1942
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/2
Scope and Contents
Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, March 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; the Chiefs of Staff; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chief Whip [James Stuart].Subjects covered by the minutes include: matters concerning the command structure, including...
Dates:
01 Mar 1942 - 30 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 01 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/5
Scope and Contents
Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, June 1942.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; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet].Subjects covered by the minutes include: discussion of proposed operations against Germany in northern Norway ("Jupiter"), Spitsbergen ("Jackpot") and France...
Dates:
01 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 01 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/10
Scope and Contents
Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, December 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chiefs of Staff; Director of Movements [War Office, General Noel Holmes]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; Colonel Ian Jacob [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; Chief Whip [James Stuart].Subjects covered by the minutes include:...
Dates:
01 Dec 1942 - 31 Dec 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 02 Jun 1940 - 30 Jun 1940
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/13/3
Scope and Contents
Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, June 1940.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; F A Lindemann [later 1st Lord Cherwell] and Desmond Morton [Prime Minister's Personal Assistants].Subjects covered by the minutes include: the evacuation and reconstitution of the British Expeditionary Force;...
Dates:
02 Jun 1940 - 30 Jun 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 06 Jun 1940
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/17/7
Scope and Contents
Draft minute from WSC to 1st Sea Lord [Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound] and copied to First Lord [of the Admiralty, A V Alexander, later 1st Lord Alexander of Hillsborough] insisting that Operation Paul [mining of Scandinavian shipping channels to prevent ore being exported to Germany] go ahead in some form; suggests aerodromes at "Bardufoss" and "Skaanland" [both Norway] be bombed.
Dates:
06 Jun 1940
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 Jun 1940
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/17/8-9
Scope and Contents
Memorandum from [Admiral of the Fleet Sir] Dudley Pound [1st Sea Lord] setting out options for Operation Paul [mining of Scandinavian shipping channels to prevent ore being exported to Germany]: sixty modified Swordfish aircraft could carry out a bombing raid on Lulea [Sweden] from carriers situated in the vicinity of Bodo and Vest Fjord [both Norway]; however as at least a quarter of aircraft and possibly a carrier could be lost, an alternative would be to operate the aircraft from the...
Dates:
05 Jun 1940
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.