Second World War (1939-1945)
Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus
Found in 243 Collections and/or Records:
Fonds
British Naval Intelligence Papers, mainly of Donald McLachlan and Patrick Beesly.
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0014/MLBE
Scope and Contents
The collection includes: McLachlan's papers for "Room 39"; Beesly's papers for "Very Special Intelligence" and for "Very Special Admiral"; and papers of Commander Lloyd Hirst, an intelligence officer.
Dates:
1926 - 1980
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.
Found in:
Churchill Archives Centre
File
Correspondence on chronometers, 1901 - 1940
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/87
Scope and Contents
Correspondence with Lady Lockyer concerning the storage of Royal Observatory chronometers at her house in Sidmouth for the duration of the war, 1940.Correspondence with Professor Greaves of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, concerning the transportation of chronometers from Greenwich to Edinburgh for safety during the war, 1940.Correspondence with His Majesty's Chronometer Depot concerning arrangements for the removal of stocks of Admiralty navigational equipment from Bristol...
Dates:
1901 - 1940
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Cuttings concerning WSC’s role in the lead up to, and commencement of, the Second World War, 1939-07 - 1939-12
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/BRDW I Press 29 1
Scope and Contents
Career: Speculation over WSC joining the cabinet, possibly as the First Lord of the Admiralty, supported by popular demand; public ‘backlash’ against [Arthur] Neville Chamberlain’s administration of appeasement; War Cabinet is formed with WSC as First Lord of the Admiralty, speculation over his possible future as Prime Minister; WSC comes under sustained attack from the Nazi press (German cuttings).
Foreign Policy: Germany threatens Polish territory; Invasion of Poland triggers the...
Dates:
1939-07 - 1939-12
Conditions Governing Access:
Available as digital surrogates only, to protect the fragile original.
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: correspondence, mainly readers' comments on volume 4 ("The Hinge of Fate") of WSC's war memoirs ("The Second World War")., Oct 1950 - Aug 1961
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/57A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: General Sir Kenneth Anderson on 1st Army in north Africa; Anthony Moir of Fladgate and Company [WSC's solicitor] (6); Lieutenant-Colonel L V S Blacker (6); Captain John Broome on convoy PQ17; Lieutenant-General Sir Frederick Browning on the raid on Bruneval [France]; ?Robert Chapman; Admiral John Godfrey; R G Gregory (4) and Josiah Francis, Australian Minister for the Army, on Australian troops and the Burma campaign; R V Jones on German use of "Window" [the code name...
Dates:
Oct 1950 - Aug 1961
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: correspondence with consultants and others on WSC's war memoirs ("The Second World War", mainly volumes 1 to 4), A-B., Sep 1945 - Jun 1950
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/18A-B
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: William Deakin (9); [George Gordon] Allen (16); Sir John Slessor on information on the Coastal Command in 1943; Thomas Allen, publisher, on Canadian editions of the memoirs (5); 1st Lord Altrincham [earlier Sir Edward Grigg] on Sir Edward Spears reviewing "Their Finest Hour" (volume 2); "Max", 1st Lord Beaverbrook [earlier Sir Max Aitken]; Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall (2); Ernest Passant, Director of Research, Librarian and Keeper of the Papers, Foreign Office...
Dates:
Sep 1945 - Jun 1950
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: correspondence with consultants and others on WSC's war memoirs ("The Second World War", mainly volumes 1 to 4), A-L., Sep 1946 - Mar 1949
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/22
Scope and Contents
Correspondents include: [George Gordon] Allen (6); William Deakin (5); Prime Minister Clement Attlee on House of Commons' questions on German invasion plans in 1940; Eva, Lady Keyes, on 1st Lord Keyes and King Leopold of Belgium (2); Arthur Birse [one of WSC's wartime interpreters] on WSC's talks with Marshal Stalin in 1942; Alfred Bossom; Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the Cabinet until 1946] (4); Sir Philip Morris [later 1st Lord Morris of Kenwood]; Sir George Bull; Ronald Fraser,...
Dates:
Sep 1946 - Mar 1949
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": Appendices etc.: Proofs for and notes by [George] Gordon Allen., 06 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/139A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by [George] Gordon Allen of the following appendices to volume 1: Appendix A "A Conversation with Count [Dino] Grandi" [Italian Ambassador to Britain]; Appendix B "A Note on the Fleet Air Arm"; Appendix C "Memorandum on Supply Organisation"; 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,...
Dates:
06 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 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": Book 2: Master copy proofs., 26 Mar 1948 - 21 Jul 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/120
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: Chapter 22 "War"; Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 24 "The Ruin of Poland"; Chapter 25 "War Cabinet 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"; Chapter...
Dates:
26 Mar 1948 - 21 Jul 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea": Copy and provisional proofs., 12 Apr 1940 - 17 Dec 1947
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/106
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 33 entitled "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "Hitler Invades Norway" and "The Clash of the Fleets"), annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various people including: WSC, William Deakin and Sir Edward Marsh.Also includes source material including: a copy of a letter from King George VI congratulating WSC on the Navy's work at counter-acting the German offensive in Scandinavia (1940).Most of the material in the file...
Dates:
12 Apr 1940 - 17 Dec 1947
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapter 35 "Trondheim" [Norway]: Copy and provisional proofs., 18 Apr 1940 - 13 Jan 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/108
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 35 entitled "Trondheim" (provisionally entitled "The Norwegian Campaign"), annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various people including: WSC, William Deakin, Sir Edward Marsh, and Lettice Marston [later Lettice Shillingford], WSC's secretary.Also includes source material including: War Cabinet notes by Hastings Ismay, Deputy Secretary (Military) to the War Cabinet, summarizing the general conception of operations in Norway,...
Dates:
18 Apr 1940 - 13 Jan 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapter 37 "Norway: The Final Phase": Copy and provisional proofs., 23 Dec 1947
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/110
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of Chapter 37 entitled "Norway: The Final Phase" (provisionally entitled "The Curtain Falls on Norway"), annotated with suggested amendments and corrections by various people including: WSC, William Deakin and Sir Edward Marsh.
Dates:
23 Dec 1947
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 17, 33 - 37: 'Final' proofs., 06 Apr 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/122
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs of: Chapter 17 "The Tragedy of Munich" [Germany]; Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "The Clash of the Fleets"); Chapter 34 "Narvik"; Chapter 35 "Trondheim"; Chapter 36 "Frustration in Norway"; Chapter 37 "Norway. The Final Phase". Annotated with comments and suggestions by individuals including WSC, William Deakin and ? [George] Gordon Allen.
Dates:
06 Apr 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 22 - 31: 'Returned empties'., 25 Nov 1947 - 16 Feb 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/115A-J
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of: Chapter 22 "War"; Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 24 "The Ruin of Poland"; Chapter 25 "War Cabinet 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". Annotated with comments and suggestions by various individuals including WSC, William Deakin and [George] Gordon Allen.Also...
Dates:
25 Nov 1947 - 16 Feb 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 28 - 33: Proofs for Sir Edward Marsh., 04 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/129A-B
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by Sir Edward Marsh of the following chapters: 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" and "Hitler Invades Norway"); Chapter 34 "Narvik"; Chapter 35 "Trondheim" (provisionally entitled "The Norwegian Campaign....
Dates:
04 Nov 1947 - 25 Mar 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 31 - 37: Proofs for and notes by [George] Gordon Allen., 17 Nov 1947 - 15 Mar 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/138
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript, manuscript and galley proofs annotated with comments and suggestions by [George] Gordon Allen of the following chapters: Chapter 27 "The Combat Deepens" (provisionally entitled "Progress of the Conflict"); Chapter 31 "A Dark New Year"; Chapter 32 "Before the Storm"; Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "Hitler Invades Norway" and "The Clash of the Fleets"); Chapter 34 "Narvik"; Chapter 35 "Trondheim"; Chapter 36 "Frustration in Norway" (provisionally...
Dates:
17 Nov 1947 - 15 Mar 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Chapters 32 - 38: "Returned empties"., 09 Jan 1948 - 31 Mar 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/116
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of: Chapter 32 "Before the Storm"; Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "The Clash of the Fleets"); Chapter 34 "Narvik"; Chapter 35 "Trondheim"; Chapter 36 "Frustration in Norway" (provisionally entitled "Failure in Norway" and "The Curtain Falls"); Chapter 37 "Norway. The Final Phase" (provisionally entitled "The Curtain Falls on Norway"); Chapter 38 "The Fall of the Government". Annotated with comments and suggestions by various...
Dates:
09 Jan 1948 - 31 Mar 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": Minutes etc.: 'Superseded' proofs., 04 Sep 1947 - 02 Dec 1947
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/123A-C
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs from: Appendix II "First Lord's Minutes" (September 1939 - May 1940, not all published); Chapter 23 "The Admiralty Task"; Chapter 27 "The Combat Deepens" (provisionally entitled "Progress of the Conflict"); Chapter 32 "Before the Storm"; Chapter 33 "The Clash at Sea" (provisionally entitled "The German Attack on Norway" and "Hitler Invades Norway"). Annotated with comments and suggestions by individuals including WSC, William Deakin, "Tommy", Commander...
Dates:
04 Sep 1947 - 02 Dec 1947
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Norwegian campaign: Material., 25 Nov 1939 - 06 Jun 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/142
Scope and Contents
Includes notes and correspondence concerning research and corrections for Volume 1 of "The Second World War" by individuals including: WSC on subjects including operations in Trondheim and Bergen; Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Pownall on subjects including the campaign in Narvik, from the interrogation of General Nicholas von Falkenhorst [commander of German forces in Norway] and the report of General Eduard Dietl [commander of German land forces in Norway], and commenting on Chapter 34...
Dates:
25 Nov 1939 - 06 Jun 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open
File
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 1 "The Gathering Storm": Proofs for 1st Lord Cherwell., 23 Oct 1947 - 24 Jan 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/132
Scope and Contents
Includes galley proofs and typescript annotated with comments and suggestions by 1st Lord Cherwell [earlier F A Lindemann] of the following chapters: Chapter 9 "Problems of Air and Sea, 1935 - 1939" (provisionally entitled "Air Defence Research"); Chapter 11 "Hitler Strikes, 1936"; Chapter 14 "Mr [Anthony] Eden [later 1st Lord Avon] at the Foreign Office: His Resignation"; Chapter 15 "The Rape of Austria, February 1938"; Chapter 16 "Czechoslovakia"; Chapter 17 "The Tragedy of Munich"...
Dates:
23 Oct 1947 - 24 Jan 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
Literary: "The Second World War", Volume 2 "Their Finest Hour": Appendices., Oct 1940 - 27 Dec 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHUR 4/179A-I
Scope and Contents
Includes typescript and galley proofs of the appendices to Volume 2 including: Appendix A "Minutes and Telegrams, May - December 1940"; Appendix B "Loss by Enemy Action of British, Allied and Neutral Merchant Tonnage"; Appendix D "Correspondence Relating to Dakar [Senegal] between Mr Churchill and Mr [Robert] Menzies" [Prime Minister of Australia]; Appendix E "List of Operational Code Names"; Appendix F "List of Abbreviations". The proofs are annotated with suggested amendments and...
Dates:
Oct 1940 - 27 Dec 1948
Conditions Governing Access:
Open