Royal Navy
Organization
Found in 47 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: "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": Book 2: 'Almost Final' proofs., 07 Jan 1948 - 23 Jan 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/121
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: Chapter 22 "War"; Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 25 "War Cabinet Problems" (provisionally entitled "War 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";...
Dates:
07 Jan 1948 - 23 Jan 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 34 - 38 and Appendices: Proofs for Sir Edward Marsh., 04 Nov 1947 - 19 Feb 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/130
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by Sir Edward Marsh of the following chapters: Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "Hitler Invades Norway"); Chapter 34 "Narvik" (provisionally entitled "The Norwegian Campaign" and "The Campaign in Norway"); Chapter 35 "Trondheim"; Chapter 36 "Frustration in Norway" (provisionally entitled "Norway. Defeat" and "Failure in Norway" and "The Curtain Falls on Norway"); Chapter 37 "Norway. The Final Phase"; Chapter...
Dates:
04 Nov 1947 - 19 Feb 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Proofs for CSC., 26 Sep 1947 - 14 Jan 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/131
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by CSC of the following chapters: Chapter 18 "Munich Winter" [Germany]; Chapter 19 "Prague, [Czechoslovakia, later Czech Republic and Slovakia] Albania and the Polish Guarantee"; Chapter 20 "The Soviet Enigma"; Chapter 21 "On the Verge"; Chapter 22 "War"; Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 25 "War Cabinet Problems" (provisionally entitled "War Problems"); Chapter 26 "The Front in France"; Chapter 27 "The Combat Deepens";...
Dates:
26 Sep 1947 - 14 Jan 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Official: War Cabinet: Prime Minister's Directives., 06 Mar 1941 - 12 Dec 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 23/9
Scope and Contents
Printed directives by the Prime Minister, WSC, on subjects including: the battle of the Atlantic; food imports; army scales; the naval programme; the Mediterranean; warning Stalin against Germany (including extracts of correspondence between WSC, the Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon] and Sir Stafford Cripps [British Ambassador to the Soviet Union]; policy in Syria; Egypt and the Middle East; security of cabinet papers; the maintenance of forces in the Middle East; the...
Dates:
06 Mar 1941 - 12 Dec 1941
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: Defence., 06 Nov 1936 - 20 Jan 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/371A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents on defence issues include: Sir Thomas Inskip [Minister for Co-ordination of Defence, later 1st Lord Caldecote]; Harry Sellar, Private Secretary to Inskip (2); Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, on subjects including the arming of the Guards Battalions; Sir Kingsley Wood, Secretary of State for Air, on showing WSC [air construction graphs]; 1st Lord Swinton [former Secretary of State for Air, earlier Philip Cunliffe-Lister and Philip Lloyd-Greame] on the formation...
Dates:
06 Nov 1936 - 20 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open.
File
Public and Political: General: Defence: Correspondence and papers., 09 Jan 1937 - 23 Feb 1938
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/302
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: Sir Philip Gibbs on the inefficiency of the RAF; Sir Eustace Tennyson d'Eyncourt [former Vice-President of the Tank Board] (2); Sir William Beveridge [Director of London School of Economics and Political Science]; Oswald Frewen on working with German and Italian sailors, German fanaticism, Italian aid to Franco and how the policies of Neville Chamberlain [Prime Minister] encourage Germany and Italy; Leo Amery; Basil Liddell Hart; Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson...
Dates:
09 Jan 1937 - 23 Feb 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Personal Office: Correspondence L - Q., 28 Jul 1939 - 20 May 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/366
Scope and Contents
Correspondents, mainly congratulating WSC on his appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty, and on his broadcasts (1 October ["The first month of war"] and 12 November ["Ten weeks of war"]) include: George Lambton; Sir Walter Layton on reactions to WSC's description of the Germans as Huns; Frederick Leathers; "Charley" [7th Lord Londonderry, earlier Lord Castlereagh] on subjects including his differences with [Neville Chamberlain], Prime Minister, on foreign policy, the results of WSC's...
Dates:
28 Jul 1939 - 20 May 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Public and Political: General: Political: correspondence and papers on the naval command in the Atlantic., Feb 1951 - May 1951
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 2/35
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: James Thomas [later 1st Lord Cilcennin, Vice-Chairman of Conservative and Unionist Party]; James Stuart [Chief Opposition Whip]; Vice-Admiral Brian Schofield; [George] Gordon Allen (2); Matthew Drysdale, Chairman of Lloyd's; Admiral of the Fleet 1st Lord Fraser [of North Cape, 1st Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff]; 1st Lord Swinton [earlier Philip Lloyd Greame and Philip Cunliffe Lister]; Commander Harry Pursey; Admiral Sir Percy Noble (3); Admiral Sir Sydney...
Dates:
Feb 1951 - May 1951
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 20 May 1941 - 25 Jun 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/147A-B
Scope and Contents
Hansard copies of WSC's statements (20 May) on victory in Abyssinia [Ethiopia], action at Sollum [Egypt], and the German attack on Crete [Greece]. Also includes cuttings from the Daily Telegraph and the Times reporting WSC's statements. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6401-3.Hansard copy of WSC's statement (21 May) on the attack on Crete.Hansard copy of WSC's statement (22 May) on heavy fighting in the battle for Crete. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6403-4.Hansard copy of WSC's...
Dates:
20 May 1941 - 25 Jun 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 21 Oct 1941 - 11 Dec 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/149A-B
Scope and Contents
Hansard copy of a debate on visits to Ireland (21 October) including WSC's statement on Defence Regulation 18b [giving the Home Secretary powers to detain people without charge]. Part published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6497-8.Notes for WSC's speech (12 November) on the parliamentary address, wartime speeches by Ministers, shipping losses, food and rations, food production, fuel and production of munitions. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard and cutting from the Times reporting...
Dates:
21 Oct 1941 - 11 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and source material., 27 Feb 1940 - 13 May 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/139A-B
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (27 February) on supplementary navy estimates, protecting merchant and fishing vessels from U-boats, the strength of the Fleet, and naval losses. Also includes cutting from the Daily Telegraph reporting WSC's speech and relevant extract from Hansard. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6194-8.Incomplete notes for WSC's speech (11 April) on the German invasion of Norway and Denmark and the naval battle off Norway. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard. Published:...
Dates:
27 Feb 1940 - 13 May 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 05 Nov 1940 - 19 Dec 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/175
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (5 November) on the war situation including the air battles, the bombing of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, the threat posed by U Boats, the possibility of invasion by Germany, civil defence and the Home Guard, affairs in Egypt and the Middle East, and the Italian invasion of Greece. Source material includes correspondence from 1st Lord Beaverbrook [earlier Max Aitken, Minister for Aircraft Production], Henry Strutt [Assistant Under-Secretary of...
Dates:
05 Nov 1940 - 19 Dec 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 30 Apr 1941 - 10 Jun 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/178A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for statement by WSC (30 April) on the evacuation of Empire forces from Greece, giving details of casualties. Published: Complete Speeches VI, p 6385.Speech notes for WSC's speech (7 May) on the war situation including: a Vote of Confidence in parliament; events and operations in Greece, the Balkans, and Libya including the defence of Tobruk against forces under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel; a comparison of Hitler with Napoleon; production of tanks; the Battle of the Atlantic and...
Dates:
30 Apr 1941 - 10 Jun 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 27 Jan 1942 - 13 Apr 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/183A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (29 January) winding up a debate on the war situation and responding to parliamentary questions on subjects including: the vote of confidence in the government; general policy in the Far East; the defence of Singapore and Malaya [later Malaysia]; the scorched earth policy at Penang; the conduct of the war; and troops and supplies in India. Also includes correspondence from Oliver Locker-Lampson; Percy Harris; Sir Arnold Gridley; Colin Thornley [Principal Private...
Dates:
27 Jan 1942 - 13 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 23 Apr 1942 - 02 Jun 1942
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/184A-C
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (23 April) in secret session on the war situation including: Japan's entry into the war; setbacks including battleship losses; defence of the Admiralty over the escape of the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau; events and operations in the Far East, the Middle East and the Soviet Union; air battles including the bombing of Germany; and aircraft and ship production. Also includes correspondence from: Maurice Dean [Assistant Under Secretary of State,...
Dates:
23 Apr 1942 - 02 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: Non House of Commons: Speech notes and source material., 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/181A-B
Scope and Contents
Speech notes for WSC's speech (9 January, Pilgrim's Society Luncheon, Savoy Hotel, London) entitled "United States co-operation" proposing a toast to Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] on his appointment as British Ambassador to the United States and on the death of [11th] Lord Lothian [earlier Philip Kerr]. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6327-9.BBC broadcast by WSC (9 February) entitled "Give us the tools" on the war situation including: the repulsion of the threat of...
Dates:
09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes and other material., 09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/150A-B
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's speech (9 January, Pilgrim's Society Luncheon, Savoy Hotel, London) entitled "United States co-operation" proposing a toast to Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] on his appointment as British Ambassador to the United States and on the death of [11th] Lord Lothian [earlier Philip Kerr]. Also includes cutting from the Times reporting WSC's speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6327-9. Various cuttings reporting WSC's speech (17 January, Glasgow [Scotland])...
Dates:
09 Jan 1941 - 27 Apr 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Speeches: speech notes (by WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty) and other material., 20 Jan 1940 - 29 Feb 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/143
Scope and Contents
Notes for WSC's broadcast (20 January, BBC) on the war situation, entitled "A house of many mansions" on the German threat to neutral and allied shipping, to neutral nations, and Finland's stand against the Soviet Union. Also includes cuttings from the Times and the Listener containing the text of WSC's broadcast. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6183-6.Notes for WSC's statement (24 January, House of Commons 1922 Committee) on British naval strength, the U-boat war, pocket battleships,...
Dates:
20 Jan 1940 - 29 Feb 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
Item
(Untitled), Jan 1940
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 19/6/1
Scope and Contents
First Lord of the Admiralty's printed minutes, January 1940.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (sometimes annotated with additional printed information) to: the Sea Lords, particularly 1st [Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound], 2nd [Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel, Admiral Sir Charles Little], and [3rd Sea Lord and] Controller [Rear-Admiral Bruce Fraser]; Deputy Chief of Naval Staff [Rear-Admiral Tom Phillips]; [Permanent] Secretary [Sir Archibald Carter]; various naval...
Dates:
Jan 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
From the File:
Open
Item
(Untitled), 07 Jul 1941
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/116-119
Scope and Contents
Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt on plan for the defence of the Atlantic: He comments on implications of U-boat attacks for convoys and escorts, and regrets Senator Wheeler's indiscretion revealing the destination of United States expedition recently departed from Newfoundland [later part of Canada] for Iceland. [Telegram has been bound incorrectly, with first page at back].
Dates:
07 Jul 1941
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 1941
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/38/36
Scope and Contents
Telegram from WSC to Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean [Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham], on decision to use HMS Ark Royal, HMS Argus, HMS Furious and HMS Victorious to repeat operations "Winch" [codename for plan to reinforce Malta with aircraft] and "Dunlop"; need for protection of Crete [Greece], Malta and Libya and enforcement of operations "Tiger" [codename for plan to transport tanks on merchant ships through Mediterranean] and "Jaguar" [codename for plan to reinforce Malta with...
Dates:
01 May 1941
Conditions Governing Access:
From the File:
Open
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