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Found in 1960 Collections and/or Records:

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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
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(Untitled), 30 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/82-83
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, reciting an appreciation of 22 April 1942 by the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet [Admiral Sir John Tovey]: Tovey comments on the German Fleet, the importance of the sea approaches to the British Isles and the possibility of withdrawal of United States naval forces; concludes that British forces in home waters must be strong enough to retain control and be able to engage German Fleet; comments on the adverse effect...
Dates: 30 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 20/74/96-97
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] opposing American proposals for increasing convoys to the Soviet Union: argues that a reduction in transatlantic escorts might have "disastrous consequences"; argues that the difficulty of Soviet convoys cannot be solved merely by anti-submarine craft and describes recent loss and damage to British ships; states that six ships from Iceland have already arrived at the Clyde [Scotland] and that three convoys every two...
Dates: 02 May 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), 11 Mar 1910

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 12/15/35-39
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC (Home Office) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: the fact that the Vote on Account approved by the House of Commons will supply the Government for six weeks and is therefore indicative of the Government's uncertain position and the financial powers of the House of Commons; reaction by Austen Chamberlain and F E Smith [later Lord Birkenhead] to the Government's decision; Sir Edward Grey's statement of Foreign Office policy on the Belgian...
Dates: 11 Mar 1910
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), 14 Mar 1910

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 12/15/40-42
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC (Home Office) to King Edward VII describing events in the House of Commons including: a question by Lord Hugh Cecil [later Lord Quickswood] on the Government's intentions regarding the passage of the [1909] Budget; the effect of the Government's answer on the Irish Nationalists; WSC's observations on the unstable political situation and the lack of interest shown in discussion of the naval estimates.

Dates: 14 Mar 1910
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), 05 Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/1
Scope and Contents Draft letter from WSC, (HMS Enchantress, Portsmouth [Hampshire]), to the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith, later 1st Lord Oxford and Asquith], on the opposition of the 1st Sea Lord, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson, to the creation of a Naval War Staff, expressing fear that the matter would degenerate into personal controversy; stating that he liked Wilson personally, and proposed to take no action during Wilson's tenure, recommending that Wilson be retired three months early, in...
Dates: 05 Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 10 Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/2
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC, Admiralty, to Rear-Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg [later 1st Lord Milford Haven], on his proposed appointment as 2nd Sea Lord, stating that it was extremely important that "no whisper" about the appointment should reach the present Board for the time being, also sending some plans which he had worked out secretly for a new type of Cruiser, and asking for his views. [Hand-written copy].

Dates: 10 Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), [15] Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/4
Scope and Contents

Minute from WSC ("In the train"), to [Rear-Admiral Charles Madden], 4th Sea Lord, on the deficiency in 21 inch torpedoes, stressing that it was essential that all vessels completed for service should have full reserves of ammunition and torpedoes; asking for report on deficiencies in reserves of guns and ammunition. [Hand-written copy].

Dates: [15] Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 15 Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/5-7
Scope and Contents Minute from Rear-Admiral Charles Madden [4th Sea Lord], to WSC, on the shortage of torpedoes and ammunition, stating that it was not due to the lack of energy or foresight of the Director of Naval Ordnance, the Superintendent of Ordnance Stores or the Director of the Torpedo Factory, stating that the main reasons were: the three year heavy building programme; the adoption of the 21 inch heater torpedo at a time of greatly increased requirements and while the Torpedo Factory was being moved...
Dates: 15 Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 16 Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/8-9
Scope and Contents Draft letter from WSC (Admiralty), to the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith, later 1st Lord Oxford and Asquith], with proposals for a new Board of Admiralty, recommending Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman as 1st Sea Lord, with Captain Charles de Bartolome as his Naval Assistant, Prince Louis of Battenberg [later 1st Lord Milford Haven] as 2nd Sea Lord, Rear-Admiral Charles Briggs to retain his post as 3rd Sea Lord and Captain William Pakenham as 4th Sea Lord, also recommending Vice-Admiral Sir...
Dates: 16 Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Nov 1911

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/10-11
Scope and Contents

Letter from Ernest Pretyman [former Secretary to the Admiralty], (Orwell Park, Ipswich [Suffolk]) to WSC, on the retirement of Colonel Simeon Exham, Superintending Engineer in charge of Rosyth [Fife, Scotland] [and Portsmouth, Hampshire] Dockyards, stating that he is a man of exceptional ability and that it would be madness for the Admiralty to "part with him at this juncture".

Dates: 17 Nov 1911
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 12 Feb 1909

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 13/1/13-24
Scope and Contents Letter from Admiral of the Fleet Sir Gerald Noel (Fincham, Downham Market, Norfolk), to Reginald McKenna [First Lord of the Admiralty], on Naval administration and the state of the Royal Navy, 1902-09, asking him to lay it before the Cabinet; he criticises most of the reforms introduced during the "Fisher Era", particularly the reduction of squadrons overseas, the decision to build "Dreadnoughts" rather than battleships of more moderate dimensions, the increase in the power of the 1st Sea...
Dates: 12 Feb 1909
Conditions Governing Access: Open