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Royal Navy

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Found in 1962 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 05 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71A/44-46
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: reflects on the deterioration of British affairs since December 7 1941; comments on British naval plans for the Indian Ocean and North Atlantic; requests a statement of the dispositions and plans of the United States Air Force; comments on the diversion of an Allied army from the Levant-Caspian front to Australia and India, and on the need for the United States to reinforce Australia and New Zealand; comments on...
Dates: 05 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 11 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71B/136
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding the need for a definite strategical plan for the British and United States navies in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Dates: 11 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 14 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71B/157-158
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] informing him of the decision to undertake "BONUS" [codename for operation against Madagascar] and asking that the United States Navy protect the western exit of the Mediterranean whilst Force H is away from Gibraltar.

Dates: 14 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71B/180
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC stating that he would prefer to support "IRONCLAD" [codename for British occupation of Diego Suarez, Madagascar], by sending a naval detachment to join the British Home Fleet, thereby enabling a detachment from the Home Fleet to replace Force HYPO.

Dates: 17 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71B/181-182
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding naval matters: suggests that the United States reinforce the British Home Fleet and that British ships are used to replace the HYPO Force or to do the whole escorting job [to Diego Suarez, Madagascar, in operation "Ironclad"]; states that tanker sinkings are very disturbing; comments on the role of American destroyers and trawlers in the Atlantic; suggests measures for dealing with the submarine menace.

Dates: 17 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/71B/183-193
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: states that he has not yet heard from Australia and New Zealand but that in principle there are great merits resulting from the United States controlling the Pacific sphere and Britain controlling the Indian sphere; comments on the need for the American and British navies to work to a common strategy; describes British naval force in the Central Indian Ocean; comments on the need to co-ordinate all naval commands...
Dates: 17 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/7-8
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the scale of naval support from the United States required by the British Home Fleet to help in operations against the Tirpitz [German battleship] and to release ships for the defence of Gibraltar.

Dates: 17 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/12
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on a message from Admiral Ernest King [Chief of Naval Operations and Commander-in- Chief, United States Navy] promising to keep the Japanese occupied in the Pacific while Britain is building up strength in the Indian Ocean; also refusing Roosevelt's "generous offer" of two new battleships [to reinforce the British Home Fleet].

Dates: 18 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/15
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC outlining details of the United States naval force assigned to report for temporary duty with the British Home Fleet; states that a similar detachment will be kept on "this side" to "head off enemy when he comes into open Atlantic.".

Dates: 18 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/19
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] thanking him for sending a force including a new battleship to join the British Home Fleet; states that this will enable Britain to send a force including HMS Renown to Gibraltar; asks for sufficient warning before the United States will require the new battleships in the Pacific.

Dates: 19 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/23-25
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC transmitting observations of the Australian Chiefs of Staff on the appreciation of the situation in the Far East prepared by the British Chiefs of Staff: comments on the need for more offensive policy; suggests action against Rabaul [New Britain] and the strengthening of forces at Port Darwin [Australia]; comments on the need for a more offensive naval policy involving the formation of joint British and United States naval...
Dates: 19 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 20 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/40
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin]: acknowledges receipt of Curtin's telegram regarding proposed arrangements for air co-operation between Australia and the United States [see CHAR 20/72/20-21]; comments on his telegram calling for a more offensive naval policy [see CHAR 20/72/23-25] and explains the objections to moving aircraft carriers from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

Dates: 20 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 25 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/100
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean [Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham] expressing his admiration for Rear-Admiral Philip Vian and all who sailed with him for the "resolute and brilliant action by which the Malta convoy was saved" [the battle of Sirte]. Annotated by WSC: "I.L. I shall be obliged if you will make this signal at once.".

Dates: 25 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 26 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/72/107-108
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal] (India) regarding fighters for the defence of India: comments on the numbers of Hurricanes in India; states that nothing sent from Britain could affect the situation for at least two months; comments on suggestions for diverting fighters from Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] or the Middle East; refers to remarks by General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India] regarding the inability of the Eastern Fleet to respond to a sea-borne...
Dates: 26 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 05 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/65-67
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] reciting detailed comments by the Chiefs of Staff on offensive naval action in the Far East: states that it is necessary to remain strategically on the defensive in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans and outlines reasons; comments on the implementation of a future strategic offensive and interim offensive action; comments on the relative strengths of the fleets of the United States and Japan.

Dates: 05 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 07 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/68
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] commenting on the presence of a large Japanese naval force in the Indian Ocean; wonders whether these movements are a prelude to an invasion of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and suggests that the United States Pacific Fleet might be used to compel the Japanese naval forces back to the Pacific.

Dates: 07 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 08 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/69
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding naval losses in the Indian Ocean: recites message from the Deputy Commander-in- Chief at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] to WSC regarding the sinking of the merchant ships Gandara and Dardamus; comments on the sinking of the cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall; states that he is hoping to see Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to Roosevelt] and General George Marshall [Chief of Staff,...
Dates: 08 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 15 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/100-102
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] concerning "the grave situation" arising from the large Japanese naval presence in the Indian Ocean: suggests alternative plans for moving capital ships to the Indian Ocean; presses for American heavy bombers in India; comments on his meeting with the President's envoys and states that he is sending the 1st Sea Lord [Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound] to see the President and Admiral Ernest King...
Dates: 15 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/126
Scope and Contents

Telegram from John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, expressing uneasiness on the sinkings of HMS Dorsetshire, HMS Cornwall and HMS Hermes and asking for more information on the naval situation in the Far East.

Dates: 17 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942

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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
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(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/73/134
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: comments on a plan to strengthen the British fleet in the Indian Ocean by using United States ships to reinforce the British Navy at Scapa [Scotland]; states that he is sending 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] but welcomes the proposal to use the United States aircraft carrier...
Dates: 19 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 24 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/19-21
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding immediate plans: comments on Malta, operation "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar], the Home Fleet, the Eastern Fleet, and the possibility of Admiral Sir James Somerville [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet] escorting a major convoy to Malta.

Dates: 24 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 27 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/41-44
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] regarding the naval position in the Far East: describes ship movements and losses between 4 April and 9 April resulting from Japanese raids on Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] and Trincomalee [Ceylon]; comments on the relative strengths of Britain, the United States and Japan in aircraft carriers, aircraft and personnel; comments on future policy on the Eastern Fleet.

Dates: 27 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 27 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/56-58
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC outlining the situation in India, Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and Burma [later Myanmar]: comments on air strength; comments on the naval situation; comments on the defence of Ceylon; comments on difficulties in Burma and implications with regard to China; "Our tails are well up but not wagging very much as yet.".

Dates: 27 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 29 Apr 1942

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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