Royal Navy
Found in 1960 Collections and/or Records:
(Untitled), 26 Mar 1942
(Untitled), 05 Apr 1942
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.
(Untitled), 07 Apr 1942
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.
(Untitled), 08 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 15 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 17 Apr 1942
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.
(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 19 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 24 Apr 1942
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.
(Untitled), 27 Apr 1942
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.
(Untitled), 27 Apr 1942
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.".
(Untitled), 29 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 30 Apr 1942
(Untitled), 02 May 1942
(Untitled), 02 May 1942
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.
(Untitled), 05 May 1942
(Untitled), 11 Mar 1910
(Untitled), 14 Mar 1910
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.
(Untitled), 05 Nov 1911
(Untitled), 10 Nov 1911
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].
(Untitled), [15] Nov 1911
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].
(Untitled), 15 Nov 1911
(Untitled), 16 Nov 1911
(Untitled), 17 Nov 1911
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".