Skip to main content

Second World War (1939-1945)

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

(Untitled), 22 Feb 1943

 Item
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
 Item

(Untitled), 28 Mar 1943

 Item
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
 Item

(Untitled), 07 Apr 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/93B/124
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC to Major General Ira Eaker [Commanding General United States 8th Bomber Command] thanking him for sending photographs of the daylight attack of the Renault works by the United States 8th Air Force which confirm that the raid was a success Signature in typescript.

Dates: 07 Apr 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Jan 1943

 Item
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
 Item

(Untitled), 02 Oct 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/94B/141-146
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Chiang Kai-Shek [President of China] introducing [1st] Lord Mountbatten as his new Supreme Commander of the South East Asia front and Lieutenant General Adrian Carton de Wiart as his personal representative at Chungking [Szechwaw, China] and informing him of the new three fold plan of attack against Japan stating: that they plan to improve and expand the air routes into China aiding the transmission of supplies to General Chennault's Air Fleet and for the Chinese armies in...
Dates: 02 Oct 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 04 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/94A/7
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to Sir Robert Renwick marked "Secret" stating: that it has just a year since he charged him to make and distribute H2S instruments [device to guide bombers using ultra short waves] into the service as soon as possible and that now 2 squadrons had been fitted and that there were now 700 instruments; that this apparatus had increased the accuracy of bombing: that it will become more important as the radius of operations is extended; that its later developments Fishpond and A G...
Dates: 04 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/94A/36-38
Scope and Contents Letter from WSC to General Douglas MacArthur [Commander in Chief Philippines; Supreme Commander S W Pacific] marked "Private and secret" stating: that he was pleased to hear from General Richard Henry Dewing of his views about the Pacific situation and wished that they could be in closer contact; that he believes the process of ejecting the Japanese will be long and painful; that at their next meeting he will ask President Roosevelt and his staff to discuss the whole policy of the final...
Dates: 20 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 05 Aug 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/94A/85
Scope and Contents

Letter from WSC to King George VI informing him that he will be proud to convey his message to all those concerned in the organization and planning of the invasion and conquest of Sicily and thanking him on their behalf for this "gracious message" Signed.

Dates: 05 Aug 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open.
 Item

(Untitled), 08 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95A/66
Scope and Contents Copy of a statement made by Nancy, Lady Astor (9 Babmaes Street, London) [Conservative MP for Sutton, Devon] taken by George Yandell (Chief Investigation Officer ) whilst under arrest, reporting that she had been shown a letter sent by her to Mr Yandell [see CHAR 20/95A/65], to give enclosed lecture notices to Margaret Colt [Head of American Red Cross in London] and to obtain some articles from the United States for her and stating that she did not know that a licence had to be acquired...
Dates: 08 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 27 Jul 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95A/68
Scope and Contents Note from G E Preston [Private Secretary to the President of the Board of Trade] stating: that Nancy, Lady Astor [Conservative MP for Sutton, Devon] has been charged for contravening Article 7 of the Consumer Rationing Order 1941 by trying to acquire rationed goods outside the United Kingdom without having obtained a licence to do so which is punishable by a fine of £500 or 12 months imprisonment or both: that the evidence for this is based upon a letter sent by Nancy, Lady Astor to L P...
Dates: 27 Jul 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95A/69
Scope and Contents

The Consumer Rationing (No 8) Order 1941, No 2000 published by his Majesty's Stationery Office 1943, 23, [1 p].

Dates: 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 06 Aug 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95A/91
Scope and Contents

Letter from Leslie Hore-Belisha (16 Stafford Place) to WSC suggesting that they do not wait for the peace conference before making their first act of restitution and hand back the Dodecanese to Greece, arguing that this would enable the Hellenic Government to continue its war of liberation on Ancient Greek soil and that the Turks will not resent the return of a patrimony to their Ally adding that there is no national case for giving Rhodes to Turkey Signed. Annotated.

Dates: 06 Aug 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 19 Aug 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/95A/93
Scope and Contents Letter from Anthony Eden [later 1st Lord Avon, Foreign Secretary] (Quebec, [Canada]) to WSC thanking him for letting him see his letter from Leslie Hore Belisha [see CHAR 20/95A/91] adding that Britain does not yet possess the Dodecanese but that justice would dictate that they should be given back to Greece. He advises that WSC should not be so definite in his reply to Hore Belisha, suggesting that he should say that the claims of Greece are being kept in mind but that we do not want to...
Dates: 19 Aug 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 22 Dec 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/96B/158
Scope and Contents Letter from Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes (Tingewick House, Buckingham) [Conservative MP for Portsmouth] to A V Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Hillsborough, 1st Lord of the Admiralty] recommending that he urge Clement Attlee to take note of the advice given in Keyes' minutes to the War Cabinet and WSC. He states that locking up 5 fast transports at Sierra Leone was deplorable; that the Japanese are demonstrating the proper use of amphibious power; that the War Cabinet, due to...
Dates: 22 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Jan 1942

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/96B/160-161
Scope and Contents Letter from Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes (22 St Leonard's Terrace, London) [Conservative MP for Portsmouth] to Clement Attlee [Secretary of State for the Dominions] expressing "despair" at the decision to disperse the Allies' amphibious force. He comments that this decision was a disaster made on the advice of two Joint Commanders with no experience in combined operations and backed by those who had supported the disastrous Norway campaign; and that the prolongation of the Libyan...
Dates: 18 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Unknown

(Untitled), 6 Apr 1943

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/109/89-92
Scope and Contents Telegram from [Richard Casey] Minister of State [Middle East] to WSC marked 'personal and most secret' on subjects including: the satisfactory maintenance position of the Eighth Army; the need for petrol drums for Husky [codename for the capture of Sicily]; progress planning armed assistance to Turkey; co-ordination of military and civil supplies to Turkey and the limits of the transport in Turkey; SOE (MO4) [Special Operations Executive] activities sabotaging chrome output in Greece and...
Dates: 6 Apr 1943
Conditions Governing Access: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 18 Apr 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/110/38
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Marshal Stalin marked "Personal and Secret" asking his permission on behalf of Arthur Harris (Commander in Chief Bomber Command) to use an extract from one of his recent telegrams regarding the British bombardment of Germany and informing him of the success of their air attacks this week, adding that their will be a lull in activity in Tunisia to prepare for a great onslaught.

Dates: 18 Apr 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Apr 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/110/56
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Marshal Stalin marked "Personal and Secret" informing him that the battle in Tunisia has begun and that the British and United States Forces will attack that night and that they intend to force a conclusion by continuous pressure and reporting that an air battle has taken place between the Tunisian Tip and Sicily in which a German Air Fleet suffered serious losses.

Dates: 20 Apr 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 20 Jun 1943

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/113/65-67
Scope and Contents

Telegram from WSC to Marshal Joseph Stalin explaining the risks of attempting an invasion of Western Europe too soon, and pointing out how Allied success in Tunisia has affected Axis forces in the whole of the Mediterranean, therefore diverting German supplies from the Russian Front. WSC also asks for Stalin's view of the situation on the Russian Front and urges a meeting with himself and [Franklin Roosevelt], President of the United States.

Dates: 20 Jun 1943
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 26 Aug 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/27/107-108
Scope and Contents

Letter from Robert Morgan to WSC querying his intentions towards China following a broadcast [? 24 August, on the Atlantic Charter] which Morgan feels implies the United States' policy towards Japan was one of appeasement; with reply suggesting events in the Far East have taken a "favourable turn".

Dates: 26 Aug 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), Sep 1941 - Oct 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/27/109-112
Scope and Contents

Letters from Robert Morgan to WSC on British policy towards China; asks whether arms could be given to aid against Japan; with reply by WSC that aid from the United States has been released for use in China.

Dates: Sep 1941 - Oct 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), Nov 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/27/117-124
Scope and Contents

Newspaper cuttings from the Daily Mail reporting on the court case of the first girl fined for refusing to comply with a Ministry of Labour war work directive; annotated by WSC, with letters from Hubert Gee [Principal Private Secretary to Minister of Labour and National Service] to John Martin [Private Secretary to WSC] explaining the case.

Dates: Nov 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 08 Dec 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/25/4-5
Scope and Contents

Memorandum by Sir Edward Campbell [former British Vice-Consul in Java [part of Indonesia] to WSC warning that the War Cabinet should not underestimate Japanese air strength and determination and recommending that a bombing campaign of Japanese cities should be undertaken immediately otherwise the war will last for years.

Dates: 08 Dec 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 31 Mar 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/25/37-40
Scope and Contents Memorandum from Sir Archibald Sinclair [Secretary of State for Air, later 1st Lord Thurso] to WSC on his censorship of Sir Walter Citrine [General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress and President of the International Federation of Trade Unions]: references were made to landmines on parachutes, of which one-third are duds; discussion in Press would alert the Germans into improving the device; suggests that Citrine is offended at not having received recognition for his broadcasts to the...
Dates: 31 Mar 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
 Item

(Untitled), 03 Jun 1941

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/25/106-107
Scope and Contents

Letter from 1st Lord Dunedin [earlier Andrew Murray] to WSC observing that Crete has fallen because there was no Air Force there to oppose the Germans; notes that the requests of Sir Ronald Storrs [former Governor and Commander- in-Chief of Cyprus] for an aerodrome were ignored by Stanley Baldwin and Ramsay Macdonald; includes transcript.

Dates: 03 Jun 1941
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open