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Second World War (1939-1945)

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 31 Dec 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/6
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in- Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including a tank encounter to the south of Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya], the accuracy of RAF bombing and the movement of enemy ships from Ras el Aali.

Dates: 31 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 12 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/60-66
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] to WSC reviewing recent developments, including: an anticipated German attack in North Africa; the feeling that Britain is less concerned with the Pacific than with Europe; WSC's discussions with the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt; the definition of South West Pacific; the division of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean into different theatres; the need for naval supremacy against Japan which has already...
Dates: 12 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 11 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/67-68
Scope and Contents Telegram from [Alfred] Duff Cooper [Resident Cabinet Minister at Singapore for Far Eastern affairs and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, later 1st Lord Norwich] to WSC and the Secretary of State for the Colonies [1st Lord Moyne, earlier Walter Guinness] on a lack of confidence in the local administration: suggests Major-General Keith Simmons, Fortress Commander, be appointed as military governor, supported by Brigadier Simson, Director General of Civil Defence, and that Hugh Fraser...
Dates: 11 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 12 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/69-70
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC with impressions of personalities in Batavia [later Djakarta, Java, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]: Hart, [Admiral Thomas Hart, United States Admiral in the Pacific], Palliser [? Rear-Admiral Arthur Palliser, Chief of Staff to Commander- in-Chief, Eastern Fleet], Brett [Lieutenant-General George Brett, Commander of Allied air forces, Dutch East Indies], General Hein ter Poorten [Commander-in-Chief,...
Dates: 12 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 31 Dec 1941

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/7
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, requesting a quick finish in the Bardia [Libya], Sollum and Halfaya regions [Egypt].

Dates: 31 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 12 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/72-73
Scope and Contents Telegrams from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including: the disorganisation of the enemy; Germans and Italians have retreated to Marsa el Brega [Qasr al Burayqah, Libya], Maatex Giofen and Agheila; development of Benghazi hindered by bad weather; enemy weakness and remaining troop numbers; Auchinleck wants to accelerate pressure in Libya and proceed with "Acrobat" [codename for operation against Tripoli] as news from Russian front is...
Dates: 12 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/8
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC asking for confirmation of press statement that General Sir Archibald Wavell will command United States and British land operations in the Pacific whilst Admiral King [? Admiral Ernest King, United States Navy] will command the combined navies.

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

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68A/9-10
Scope and Contents

Telegrams from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC on subjects including: activity in Agedabia [Ajdabiyah, Libya]; RAF bombing of Ras Aali; prisoner-of-war figures; fighter planes over Agedabia; news from Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie [Commander of 8th Army] on the Allied capture of Bardia, and release of British prisoners-of-war.

Dates: 02 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 16 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/100
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC on defence of Batavia [later Djakarta, Java, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia] against Japanese attack across Johore Straits.

Dates: 16 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/101-102
Scope and Contents

Telegrams from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC on the surrender of Halfaya [Libya] and prisoners-of-war and supplies captures; Allied prisoners liberated; commends Lieutenant-General Neil Ritchie [Commander, 8th Army], Lieutenant-General [Charles] Willoughby Norrie [General Officer Commanding 30th Corps (Middle East)] and Major-General Isaac de Villiers.

Dates: 17 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 17 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/105-106
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] sympathising with his complaints about lack of support [see telegram T 42/2, CHAR 20/68A/60-66] and explaining developments for defence of the Anzac [Australian and New Zealand Army Corps] area, especially a representative council in London, and the scope of the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area.

Dates: 17 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 18 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/107-108
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin, to WSC on disagreements over the defence of Malaya [later Malaysia] and the speed of Japanese advance and vulnerability of Australia if Singapore falls.

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

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/109-110
Scope and Contents Telegrams from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, on redeployment of troops: Australians to move from Middle East to Far East; United States forces to Northern Ireland (codenamed "Magnet"), the Levant and Caspian Sea, and to Iceland for training; United States contribution to "Gymnast" [codename for the plans for the British occupation of North West Africa] will be "Super- Gymnast" [codename for a combined landing by British and United States forces], and...
Dates: 18 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/115
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] on confusion among the United States Chiefs of Staff over defence of the Philippines.

Dates: 19 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/116-119
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] on subjects including: denying personal responsibility for lack of preparation for war; relating the threat in the Middle East to European and Japanese campaigns; the development of military strategy; details of ships lost and the future build-up of naval power in the Indian Ocean and Pacific.

Dates: 19 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/68B/120
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC on plans for the defence of Singapore; Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival [General Officer Commanding, Malaya, later Malaysia] to fight Japanese at Johore, but if he fails Singapore will fall.

Dates: 19 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 19 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/83-88
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC listing specific resources required by air force, army and navy in order to defend New Zealand against a Japanese invasion force.

Dates: 19 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 20 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/92
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC, reciting President Roosevelt's amended text of instructions [to General Archibald Sir Wavell, Supreme Commander, South West Pacific, regarding the situation in Java, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]. [See also CHAR 20/70/100].

Dates: 20 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 20 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/93-94
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] requesting permission to divert [the 7th] Australian division to Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar]: supports the principle of Australian troops returning home but states that it is the only force that can reach Rangoon in time; refers to the earlier role of the Australian Government in urging the reinforcement of Singapore rather than Burma; stresses the importance of maintaining good relations with the United States; requires...
Dates: 20 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), [20 Feb 1942]

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/95-96
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the necessity of diverting the 7th Australian division to Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar] and the refusal of the Australian Government to allow this: urges Roosevelt to press for the diversion and asks for a message that he can convey to the Australian Government.

Dates: [20 Feb 1942]
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/97
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] reciting the text of a telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC regarding the diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar]. [See also CHAR 20/70/98].

Dates: 21 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/98
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC regarding the importance of the temporary diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar]: asks WSC to inform the Australian Government of the dispatch of additional American troops and planes to Australia.

Dates: 21 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/99
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Field Marshal Sir John Dill [Head of British Joint Staff Mission, Washington, United States] to WSC informing him of the intention of the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to send a telegram to John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] appealing for the diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar].

Dates: 21 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/100
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Harry Hopkins [Special adviser and assistant to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC reciting Roosevelt's amended text of instructions to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] regarding the defence of Java [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia].

Dates: 21 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 22 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/70/101-102
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC explaining the refusal of the Australian Government to allow the diversion of [the 7th] Australian division to Burma [later Myanmar]: comments on the role already played by Australian forces in the defence of the ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] area and lists objections to landing troops in Burma. Received 21 February British Time.

Dates: 22 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open