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North Africa (general region)

 Subject
Subject Source: Local sources

Found in 296 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 09 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/76/65-66
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] marked "most secret and personal" informing him of decision to divert the 8th Armoured Division and the 44th Division from South Africa to the Middle East, and commenting on reasons why these troops are no longer required in Australia or India.

Dates: 09 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 16 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/76/122
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] marked "personal and secret" reciting the text of a draft message that WSC prepared for General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] but did not send [see CHAR 20/76/121] and commenting on the chance afforded to the Eighth Army by the enemy attack of delivering a "preconceived rupturing counter-stroke".

Dates: 16 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/76/137
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC marked "most secret and personal" commenting on the battle in the Libyan desert: agrees with the text of WSC's draft message to General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] and comments on the "defensive spirit" of "our Commands"; comments on the implications of an initiative by General Erwin Rommel [Commander of the German Afrika Korps]; states that "Position at moment looks grave.".

Dates: 18 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 24 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/77/19-20
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander in Chief Middle East] to WSC marked "personal and most secret" regarding the situation in North Africa: deeply regrets "this severe blow" and comments on advantages to enemy of capture of Tobruk [Libya]; comments on "untenable" position of continuing resistance at the Salum frontier and describes build up of forces at Matruh [Egypt]; comments on risks of drawing too many troops from rest of Middle East theatre. [see also CHAR...
Dates: 24 Jun 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), 11 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/41-43
Scope and Contents Telegram from Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC marked "personal" presenting a general review of his work. Comments on: the arrival of Lord Moyne [earlier Walter Guinness, Deputy Minister of State in the Middle East], Duncan Sandys [later Lord Duncan-Sandys, Financial Secretary to the War Office] and Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa]; liaison with Commanders in Chief and Services; relations with United States personnel and Free French forces;...
Dates: 11 Oct 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), 24 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/91
Scope and Contents

Telegram from President Roosevelt to WSC marked "most secret" regarding WSC's proposal for an interchange of destroyers, and stating that the detailed plans for the use of American destroyers in "Torch" [code name for Anglo-American invasion of French north west Africa] make it impossible to substitute British destroyers in the time available. Comments on the possibility of an exchange immediately after the assault phase.

Dates: 24 Oct 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), 24 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/102-103
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt marked "most secret and personal" explaining that he does not want to omit the reference to the participation of British forces in "Torch" [codename for Anglo-American occupation of French North West Africa] from the British message to the Spanish and Portuguese governments "if only to remove any suspicions about the object of our own concentrations at Gibraltar and to lend force to the assurances we are giving them".

Dates: 24 Oct 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), 27 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/105-106
Scope and Contents

Telegram from President Roosevelt to WSC marked "most secret" reciting text of press release for issue to the United States press immediately following the American landings in French North West Africa [Codename "Torch"].

Dates: 27 Oct 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), 27 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/107
Scope and Contents

Telegram from President Roosevelt to WSC marked "most secret" agreeing with WSC's suggestions of 26 Oct regarding the British messages to General Franco [President of Spain] and Dr Antonio Salazar [Prime Minister of Portugal] [about Anglo-American occupation of French North West Africa] but expressing the hope that he "will stress the fact that the expedition is under American command".

Dates: 27 Oct 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), 29 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/124-125
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Harold Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Tunis] (Commander in Chief Middle East) marked "private" conveying congratulations of the Defence Committee of the War Cabinet for the resolute and successful manner in which he and General Bernard Montgomery [General Officer Commanding Eighth Army] have opened the battle. He refers to Boniface information [Enigma decrypts] regarding strain and anxiety behind the enemy's front. He comments on the progress of "Torch"...
Dates: 29 Oct 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), 30 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/129
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Lord Gort (Governor and Commander in Chief Malta) marked "private" informing him that "Torch" [codename for Anglo American occupation of French North West Africa] "is moving forward so far with complete secrecy and good fortune", and commenting on the secret negotiations between "an American general of high rank" [General Mark Clark, Commander of United States Ground Forces in Europe] and "friendly" French generals. He asks Gort to bear all this in mind when...
Dates: 30 Oct 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), 27 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/81/133
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt marked "personal and secret" suggesting two changes to the President's proposed press release regarding "Torch" [codename for Anglo American occupation of French North West Africa].

Dates: 27 Oct 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), 28 Mar 1943

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/93B/110-111
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Sir Alexander Hardinge [King's Private Secretary] marked "Secret" stating: that he had heard that General Dwight Eisenhower [Commander in Chief of North African Theatre of Operations, United States Army] was "rather hurt" that King George VI's message to the troops before the battle had not gone through him and that WSC took responsibility for this; that Torch [Allied Invasion of West North Africa] which was supposed to be a United States operation had now fallen into the...
Dates: 28 Mar 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 06 Aug 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/91B/8-12
Scope and Contents Copy of a telegram from [?] Captain R F Gore Browne forwarded to Commodore Horace Norman, Brigadier Francis de Guingand [Chief of Staff to 8th Army], Group Captain A J Rankin and Director CBME, giving [an Enigma decrypt] of a report on the battle strength of the German Army in North Africa by divisions, showing personnel, tank strengths, guns and transports, with the same information also given in an attached table (originally separated and given to Lieutenant-General Sir Wilfrid Lindsell...
Dates: 06 Aug 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 22 Feb 1943

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/92/19-20
Scope and Contents Letter from King George VI to WSC about his concern for the political situation in North Africa: stating that since the launch of Torch [Allied invasion of French North Africa] the situation has grown worse blaming the "underhand dealings" of Robert Murphy [United States Political Representative in North Africa] with the Vichy Regime [France] for dividing the two French sides; that little can be done to strengthen the position of General Sir Harold Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Tunis]...
Dates: 22 Feb 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 22 Feb 1943

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/92/24-28
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to King George VI about the situation in North Africa stating that: he is not seriously worried by the events in North Africa and does not doubt the loyalty of Robert Murphy [United States political representative in North Africa]; that the divisions between the French are due to General de Gaulle's hostility to Britain and that his refusal to make a friendly settlement at Casablanca [Morocco] angered the United States; that Husky [capture of Sicily] is due to commence in...
Dates: 22 Feb 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Jan 1943

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/93A/52
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC (Anfa Camp, Casablanca, Morocco) to Lieutenant-General Brehon Somervell [Commanding General of the Services of Supply, United States Army] marked "Secret" regarding the monthly figures for the loss rates of dry cargo ships for 1942, stressing that these figures included the heavy losses of Torch [Allied Invasion of French North Africa] and estimated that the rate for the next four months would be about two percent Signed in typescript.

Dates: 18 Jan 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Jun 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/2-3
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa]: comments on how defeat at Agedabia almost destroyed General Sir Archibald Wavell's [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] tank force, and details measures that were taken to reinforce Wavell; comments on battle in desert; refers to intelligence regarding the German advance on the Soviet Union.

Dates: 18 Jun 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.
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(Untitled), 19 Jun 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/12
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Robert Menzies [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC asking for answers with regard to failure of opening of Operation "Battleaxe" [codename for British offensive] in North Africa.

Dates: 19 Jun 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.
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(Untitled), 20 Jun 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/17-18
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to President Roosevelt welcoming the proposed ferry service for aircraft from Brazil to West Africa; and commenting on the failure of the latest offensive to recapture the initiative in Western Desert.

Dates: 20 Jun 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.
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(Untitled), 29 Jun 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/75-80
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] on changes in appointments in Middle East, particularly appointment of Oliver Lyttelton [later Lord Chandos] as representative of the War Cabinet in the Middle East, and replacement of General Sir Archibald Wavell by General Sir Claude Auchinleck as Commander-in Chief, Middle East. He also comments on The German offensive in Russia, and the situation in the Middle East; with list of tank and air reinforcements sent to...
Dates: 29 Jun 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.
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(Untitled), 03 Jul 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/103-104
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC approving removal of General Sir Archibald Wavell from office as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East and commenting on defects of the administrative machine in Cairo [Egypt]. He comments on the Middle East, his plans to visit Cairo, the improvement in the Allied cause brought about by the German attack on the Soviet Union, and suggests that the flight of Rudolph Hess might indicate "something rotten inside the German...
Dates: 03 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.
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(Untitled), 08 Jul 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/40/123
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Oliver Lyttelton [later Lord Chandos, Minister of State in the Middle East] on improvement of defences at Gibraltar, installation of a broadcasting transmitter, distribution of propaganda over North Africa by Special Operations Executive, and appointment of an American Liaison Officer.

Dates: 08 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.
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(Untitled), 22 Jul 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/41/35-36
Scope and Contents Telegram from Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] to WSC on meetings with General Charles de Gaulle [Chief of Free French], General de Larminat [Governor-General of French Equatorial Africa (later Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon)] and Major- General Edward Spears [Head of Spears Mission, Syria and the Lebanon]; Free French reject Syrian armistice terms and threaten to break alliance with Britain then renegotiations end in...
Dates: 22 Jul 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 04 Aug 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/41/97-98
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] expressing a high opinion of General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East].

Dates: 04 Aug 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open