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Second World War (1939-1945)

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Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 12 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/17-19
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" requesting supplies of aircraft: asks for help in securing a loan of 200 Martlets (fighter aircraft) to help meet the threat posed by Japanese aircraft carriers equipped with fighter dive-bombers; asks for an early supply of transport aircraft for use by British airborne forces during the summer; suggests that American airborne units should be sent to train alongside their British...
Dates: 12 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 15 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/33
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [Commander Force "H" Sea Command] marked "most secret" commenting on the Madagascar operation [codenamed "Ironclad"]: states that the 13th and 17th Brigades must go on to India almost immediately; comments on the change in situation in the Indian Ocean, the build-up of the British fleet and the unlikelihood of an attempt by the Japanese to occupy Madagascar; states that Syfret must decide whether to take Tamatave and Majunga in the...
Dates: 15 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 15 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/34-35
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief India, marked "most secret" outlining objectives for the war in the Far East: comments on the transfer of troops from Madagascar; comments on plans to assemble the whole Eastern Fleet at Colombo [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] and Port Trincomalee [Ceylon, later Sri Lanka] before the middle of July and to recover effective control of the Bay of Bengal [Indian Ocean]; suggests that these dispositions will facilitate offensive...
Dates: 15 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 15 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/38
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [Commander Force "H" Sea Command] marked "most secret" discussing the feasibility of further operations in Madagascar to capture Tamatave and Majunga.

Dates: 15 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 15 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/39-40
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC reporting on his first ten days in Egypt and the impressions he has gained: includes comments on the harmonious working of the army and air force; the administrative work of Lieutenant-General Thomas Riddell- Webster [Lieutenant General in charge of Administration Middle East]; organisation of supplies in the Middle East; the situation in Syria and Egypt; relations with United States forces; the use of Spitfires...
Dates: 15 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 16 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/42-43
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief India] to WSC marked "most secret" regarding the situation in India: comments on estimates for the arrival of reinforcements; assesses principal dangers for the next two months; comments on problems of railway movement; promises to telegraph separately on the defences of Ceylon [later Sri Lanka]; states that all operations will depend mainly on the strength of air force that can be provided.

Dates: 16 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 16 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/45
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC and Chiefs of Staff to Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [Commander Force "H" Sea Command] [Madagascar] marked "most secret" instructing him to abandon operations for the capture of Tamatave and Majunga, to concentrate on securing Diego Suarez, and to release troops for India.

Dates: 16 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 17 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/48-49
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] marked "most secret" regarding the situation in Madagascar and reciting a telegram from WSC and Chiefs of Staff to Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret [see CHAR 20/75/45]: comments on the reasons for delaying the occupation of Tamatave and Majunga; proposes a "modus vivendi" with the Vichy French; suggests that 4th Lord Harlech [earlier William Ormsby-Gore, High Commissioner for Britain in South Africa] visit...
Dates: 17 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 18 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/51
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief India] to WSC marked "most secret" reporting on the latest situation in Burma [later Myanmar] and north east India: comments on the movements and "excellent health and spirits" of General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding Burma]; states that the troops from Burma have been collected in the Imphal area [India] and comments on their numbers and morale; reports that there has been no news of whereabouts of...
Dates: 18 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 19 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/53
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Premier Joseph Stalin marked "personal and most secret" informing him that a convoy of 35 ships sailed yesterday "with orders to fight their way through to you" but warning about possible severe losses from German bombers, stating that much will depend on the Soviet ability to bomb enemy aerodromes, and suggesting that, if losses are severe, it may be necessary to hold up further convoys until the ice recedes.

Dates: 19 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 19 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/54-55
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in- Chief Middle East] to WSC marked "most secret" outlining his intentions for the immediate future and commenting on factors affecting the date of an offensive, including the timing of the Malta convoy, possible enemy action, and relative strengths of enemy and allied forces, and concluding that "the success of a major offensive cannot be regarded as in any way certain" and asking that it be given no publicity.

Dates: 19 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 20 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/59-61
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] to WSC marked "most secret" suggesting that the Malta convoy should sail from the Gibraltar end of the Mediterranean not the Alexandria [Egypt] end and outlining his reasons.

Dates: 20 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 20 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/62-63
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief Middle East] marked "most secret" regarding impending battle in North Africa: states that "We feel that the time has come for a trial of strength in Cyrenaica [Libya] and that the survival of Malta is involved"; comments on the need to prevent newspaper speculation; expresses his confidence in Auchinleck and the army but urges him to assume direct command; asks whether the New Zealand Division ought to be nearer the...
Dates: 20 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 21 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/67
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief India] marked "most secret": states that Wavell can keep General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma, later Myanmar] while he writes his report; comments on losses of the United States and Japan in Coral Sea action; states that the Admiralty believe the main Japanese fleet to be at Truk and that Japanese operations against Midway Island are certain, against Aleutian Islands are very probable, and against...
Dates: 21 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 21 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/68
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander- in-Chief, India, to WSC marked "most secret" stating his belief in deceiving and disturbing the enemy by false information and advocating more coherent and long term deception plans worked between London, Washington [United States] and Commanders in the field using only officers with special qualifications.

Dates: 21 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 22 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/70
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC reporting on the withdrawal of troops from Burma [later Myanmar]: states that he has seen General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma], is flying to Dinjan [? India] where he hopes to meet Lieutenant-General Joseph Stilwell [Commander of United States forces in China, India and Burma, and Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-shek], and will then go to Imphal [India] to see troops from Burma;...
Dates: 22 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 22 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/71-72
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC marked "most secret" regarding the impending battle in North Africa: states that "I am now absolutely clear as to my task and I will do my utmost to accomplish it to your satisfaction"; thanks WSC for arrangements regarding publicity and for his expression of confidence; comments on his own decision not to take command personally in Libya; comments on his own decision not to move the New Zealand Division...
Dates: 22 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 26 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/79-81
Scope and Contents Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC marked "most secret and personal" reporting his conclusions on general strategy based upon his visit to the Middle East: comments on the situation in Libya and states that he considers "conclusive operations in Libyan bulge essential for our real victory"; comments on the importance of holding a Middle East block, including Iran, Iraq, India, Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and the Indian Ocean, from both German and...
Dates: 26 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 27 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/84-85
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret": reports on the signing of a treaty [of alliance between Britain and the Soviet Union]; comments on Vyacheslav Molotov [Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs] and asks for Roosevelt's impressions; states that all has gone well with the Northern convoy but that the next two days will be serious; comments on talks with General Henry Arnold [Chief of United States Army Air Force] and Towers...
Dates: 27 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 27 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/87
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief Middle East] to WSC marked "most secret" informing him that he is issuing a communique stating that a large enemy force has been engaged to the south of Bir Hacheim [Libya] and that the press are not yet being allowed to send despatches commenting on these operations.

Dates: 27 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 27 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/90-91
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC marked "most secret" stating that the enemy have started an offensive in Cyrenaica [Libya] but commenting on other matters of consequence: states that he will telegraph about equipment deficiencies and the manpower position; comments on the decision by General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to move General Headquarters officers and other ranks into a tented camp near the pyramids; comments...
Dates: 27 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 28 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/93-94
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] marked "personal and most secret" commenting on his recommendations regarding strategy: comments on British naval, land and air reinforcements for India; states that he believes the Japanese will strike north against Chiang-Kai-shek [Chinese Nationalist leader] and comments on the possibility of striking eastward at the Japanese through Burma [later Myanmar]; states that it will be difficult to meet a really heavy...
Dates: 28 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 28 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/97-98
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt: informs Roosevelt that he is sending a report of his conversations with Vyacheslav Molotov [Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs] covering "Bolero" [codename for build-up of United States forces in Britain for invasion of Europe], "Sledgehammer" [codename for plan to attack coast of France in 1942] and "Super Round- up" [codename for the liberation of France in 1943, later Overlord]; comments on talks with United...
Dates: 28 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 28 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/102
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, with minutes of a meeting held at 10 Downing Street at 11am on Friday 22 May between representatives of the British Government and Vyacheslav Molotov [Soviet Commissar for Foreign] and his advisers concerning the opening of a second front in Europe by Britain and the United States.

Dates: 28 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.
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(Untitled), 28 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/106
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC regarding the situation in Madagascar and suggesting the reduction of Tamatave and Majunga using African and South African troops.

Dates: 28 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
Found in: Churchill Archives Centre / The Papers of Sir Winston Churchill / Chartwell Papers / Official: Prime Minister / Official: Prime Minister: Prime Minister's Personal Telegrams.

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