Skip to main content

Second World War (1939-1945)

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

(Untitled), 02 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/99-100
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 02 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 02 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/101-104
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Admiral Geoffrey Layton [Commander-in- Chief, Ceylon] reporting on progress in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] since 5 April 1942: outlines reinforcements and withdrawals; describes defensive works and reports on the RDF [Radio Direction Finder] situation; comments on aerodrome facilities and the likely zone of the main enemy landing; reports present airforce and army dispositions.

Dates: 02 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/105
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, to WSC agreeing to acquiesce to British views regarding Soviet convoys; hopes that Britain will be able to keep convoys at a strength of thirty five ships and proposes to press the Soviet Union to reduce requirements as "Bolero" [codename for preparations for the main invasion of France] will require all possible munitions and shipping.

Dates: 03 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/106
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Governor of Burma [later Myanmar, Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] ordering him to return by air to India "If and when you feel you cannot do any good by remaining". Repeated to Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] with a request to pass a copy of the telegram to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander-in-Chief, India].

Dates: 03 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/109
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Governor of Burma [Sir Reginald Dorman-Smith] to WSC stating that he will leave Burma [later Myanmar] at dawn on 5 May 1942: "With a very heavy heart I will obey your orders.".

Dates: 03 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/110
Scope and Contents Telegram marked "Hush - Most Secret" from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] (Malta) to WSC reporting on the personalities of the commanders in Malta: states that Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie should be replaced as Governor by General 6th Lord Gort [earlier John Vereker] and explains the reason; comments on the Service Commanders, Major-General Daniel Beak [General Officer Commanding, Malta], Vice-Admiral Ralph Leatham [Flag Officer in charge, Malta] and Air Vice-...
Dates: 03 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 04 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/112-113
Scope and Contents

Telegram marked "Hush - Most Secret" from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] (Malta) to WSC regarding the supply of reinforcements and provisions to Malta and outlining the importance of achieving air superiority.

Dates: 04 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 04 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/114
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] stating that he cannot extract General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma] from Burma [later Myanmar] until he reaches Kalewa.

Dates: 04 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 04 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/115
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General 6th Lord Gort [earlier John Vereker] appointing him as Governor, Commander- in-Chief, and Supreme Commander of Malta. Annotated "Despatched through 'C'" [Major-General Stewart Menzies, Head of Secret Intelligence Service, MI6].

Dates: 04 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 04 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/116
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Lieutenant-General Sir William Dobbie relieving him of his position as Governor of Malta.

Dates: 04 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 05 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/119-121
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India: undertakes to keep Wavell more fully informed of the whole picture and states that Lieutenant-General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to WSC] has responsibility for this; comments on "Operation Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]; comments on naval strength in the Indian Ocean; comments on the effect of damage to HMS King George V and the presence of the German battleship Tirpitz...
Dates: 05 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 05 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/124
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Richard Casey [Minister of State in the Middle East] to WSC containing proposals clarifying the relationship between General 6th Lord Gort, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Malta [earlier John Vereker], the Middle East Defence Committee, the Commanders-in- Chief in Egypt, and the Service Commanders on Malta.

Dates: 05 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 05 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/125-126
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, commenting on the improving situation and declining Auchinleck's offer to denude the Middle East further for the sake of India; comments on the war in the Far East, the possibility of the Japanese menacing Port Moresby [Papua] and Darwin [Australia], and the Japanese reinforcement of the Russian - Manchurian front; comments on reasons for believing that a heavy invasion of India is not imminent and describes...
Dates: 05 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 05 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/127
Scope and Contents

Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC commenting on "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar], the situation in Ceylon [later Sri Lanka] and Burma [later Myanmar], General Harold Alexander [General Officer Commanding, Burma], and the defence of India.

Dates: 05 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 06 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/129
Scope and Contents

Telegram from Premier Joseph Stalin to WSC requesting his help in escorting steamers containing important war materials from Iceland to the Soviet Union.

Dates: 06 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 06 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/130-131
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] to WSC, reporting on the views of the Commanders-in-Chief, General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East], Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, RAF, Middle East] and Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Pridham-Wippell [Second in Command, Mediterranean Fleet], particularly Auchinleck, with regard to the need for a postponement of projected land operations in Cyrenaica [Libya].

Dates: 06 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 07 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/134
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] stating that his communication of 6 May is being considered by the Chiefs of Staff and the War Cabinet and that "all preparations for offensive as previously contemplated should continue.".

Dates: 07 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 07 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/135
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC for General 6th Lord Gort [earlier John Vereker] appointing him as Governor and Commander-in- Chief on Malta and setting out the terms of his appointment. Repeated to the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] and the three Service Commander-in-Chiefs, Middle East [General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, RAF, Middle East and ? Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Pridham-Wippell, Second...
Dates: 07 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 08 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/74/136
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: "Delighted to hear your good news from the Solomons" [victory over Japanese invasion fleet].

Dates: 08 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 08 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/3
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, conveying the view of the Chiefs of Staff, Defence Committee and War Cabinet that Auchinleck should attack the enemy and fight a major battle during May. Annotated by Francis Brown, Private Secretary to WSC, with note about further circulation.

Dates: 08 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 09 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/5
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser] regarding Operation "Ironclad" [codename for operation against Diego Suarez, Madagascar]: "There were considerable risks which up to the present seem to have been successfully overridden.".

Dates: 09 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 09 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/6
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Rear-Admiral [Edward] Neville Syfret and Major-General Robert Sturges [Commanders of taskforce for operation against Madagascar, "Ironclad"] congratulating them on the operation with an added remark for 29th Brigade only.

Dates: 09 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 09 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/7
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Premier Joseph Stalin regarding convoys to the Soviet Union: outlines difficulties of sailing convoys to the Soviet Union; lists measures required from the Soviet Union to help protect convoys; states that he will be making the broadcast warning of British retaliation to German gas attacks upon Soviet Armies tomorrow.

Dates: 09 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 09 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/8-10
Scope and Contents Telegram from the Middle East Defence Committee to WSC (Minister of Defence) and Chiefs of Staff marked "most secret" listing reasons for their opposition to an early offensive in Libya: comments on the importance of Malta and states that its fall would not necessarily be fatal to the security of Egypt; comments on the difficulties of establishing a firm position in Cyrenaica [Libya] and of the dangers of launching an offensive with inadequate armoured forces; comments on the possible...
Dates: 09 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 10 May 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/75/11-12
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, marked "most secret" stating the position of the Chiefs of Staff, the Defence Committee and the War Cabinet that "Malta shall not be allowed to fall without a battle being fought by your whole army for its retention"; comments on the implications if Malta should fall and states that the very latest date for engaging the enemy is one which provides a distraction for the June convoy.

Dates: 10 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open