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Royal Navy

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Found in 73 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 1947

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/252B/62
Scope and Contents

Report to the Combined Chiefs of Staff by the Supreme Allied Commander South-East Asia, 1943-1946, [1st Lord] Mountbatten of Burma [then Viceroy of India], dated 30 July 1947, with sections on strategy and operations, civil affairs in Burma [later Myanmar], post-Japanese surrender tasks, conclusions, and appendices, annexures, and a map tucked into the back flap. [flagged "C"] Manuscript dedication from Mountbatten to WSC on back of front cover.

Dates: 1947
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 05 Nov 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/44/119
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Canada [Mackenzie King] on sending of Prince of Wales to join Repulse in the Indian Ocean, to contain Tirpitz.

Dates: 05 Nov 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Nov 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/45/31
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC on talks with Admiral Sir Tom Phillips [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet]; expresses doubts about capability of 2 separate fleets to combat superior Japanese fleet.

Dates: 18 Nov 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jan 1944 - 31 Jan 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/152/1
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, January 1944.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Henry Wilson [Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean Theatre]; Desmond Morton [Prime Minister's Personal Assistant]; the Chiefs of Staff; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the...
Dates: 02 Jan 1944 - 31 Jan 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Apr 1944 - 30 Apr 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/152/4
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, April 1944.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers, particularly Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon]; the Chiefs of Staff; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; General Sir Bernard Montgomery [General Officer Commanding the Eighth Army]; Director of Military Intelligence [Major-General Francis...
Dates: 01 Apr 1944 - 30 Apr 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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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), 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
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(Untitled), 02 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/99-100
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC complaining that he is not being kept sufficiently informed about decisions affecting India; comments on the inability of R class battleships to face the Japanese fleet; states that he was not consulted about "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar] and comments on the need for the 5th Division in India.

Dates: 02 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 05 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/119-121
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India: undertakes to keep Wavell more fully informed of the whole picture and states that Lieutenant-General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to WSC] has responsibility for this; comments on "Operation Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]; comments on naval strength in the Indian Ocean; comments on the effect of damage to HMS King George V and the presence of the German battleship Tirpitz...
Dates: 05 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 15 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/34-35
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief India, marked "most secret" outlining objectives for the war in the Far East: comments on the transfer of troops from Madagascar; comments on plans to assemble the whole Eastern Fleet at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] and Port Trincomalee [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] before the middle of July and to recover effective control of the Bay of Bengal [Indian Ocean]; suggests that these dispositions will facilitate offensive...
Dates: 15 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 13 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/76/103-104
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC marked "most secret" regarding British naval forces in the Indian Ocean: comments on the intentions of Admiral Sir James Somerville [Commander-in- Chief, Eastern Fleet] and states that he is sending a general appreciation; comments on communications with Admiral Somerville; states that he was informed of damage to HMS Ramillies by Naval Headquarters in India and asks about the final composition and assembly of the...
Dates: 13 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 22 Dec 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/96B/158
Scope and Contents Letter from Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes (Tingewick House, Buckingham) [Conservative MP for Portsmouth] to A V Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, 1st Lord of the Admiralty] recommending that he urge Clement Attlee to take note of the advice given in Keyes' minutes to the War Cabinet and WSC. He states that locking up 5 fast transports at Sierra Leone was deplorable; that the Japanese are demonstrating the proper use of amphibious power; that the War Cabinet, due to...
Dates: 22 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 23 Aug 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/87/74
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC [Cairo, Egypt] to Private Office for First Lord of the Admiralty [Albert Alexander, later Lord Alexander of Hillsborough] and First sea Lord [Admiral Dudley Pound] referring to the loss of the Australian Cruiser "Canberra" and asking them to consider the gift of a similar ship to the Royal Australian Navy.

Dates: 23 Aug 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.
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(Untitled), 10 Dec 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/84/109
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] marked "most secret and personal" commenting on the arrangements to return the 9th Division to Australia from the Middle East and on plans to make two more aircraft carriers available in the Pacific.

Dates: 10 Dec 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Jul 1943 - 31 Jul 1943

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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
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