Second World War (1939-1945)
Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:
(Untitled), 29 Jan 1942
(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942
Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] informing him of the danger of the withdrawal of the fighter squadrons of the American Volunteer Group from Rangoon [Burma, later Myanmar] by Generalissimo Chiang Kai- shek [Chinese nationalist leader] prior to the arrival of Hurricanes.
(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942
Telegram from the Government of New Zealand to WSC requesting fighter aircraft to meet the likely Japanese attack from 1 division, 2 aircraft carriers and other naval units and to protect the main ports of Auckland and Wellington; provision is being made for a network of RDF [radar] air warning stations, the development of an air observer corps, and of new aerodromes with runways suitable for heavy United States bombers.
(Untitled), 31 Jan 1942
Telegram from WSC to [Oliver Lyttelton, later Lord Chandos], Minister of State, Middle East, in Cairo [Egypt] expressing disappointment at poor servicing of British tanks during the present battle, and concern over waste of manpower; "Surely you ought to try to grip this situation more closely".
(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942
(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942
(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942
Telegram from Middle East Defence Committee to WSC outlining strategy: states that if the German attack materialises "our only course will be to fall back on defences in rear in Persia [later Iran], Central Iraq and South Syria", which will mean abandoning all air bases north of this line, and abandoning all idea of supporting the Turks; "Everything of course depends on speed and volume with which deficiencies can be made good".
(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942
Telegram from WSC to Field-Marshal Sir John Dill [Head of British Joint Staff Mission to Washington, United States] explaining that he is awaiting the reaction of Australia and New Zealand before reaching a conclusion in the British Cabinet regarding the direction of the war in the Far East.
(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942
Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin]: quotes a telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding the political and military representation of Australia, New Zealand and Dutch East Indies [later Indonesia] [see CHAR 20/69B/79-80], and asks for comments.
(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942
Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] asking him to explain his decision to order Hurricanes from Singapore to Palembang [Sumatra, Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia].
(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942
(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942
(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942
Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC explaining his decision to withdraw fighter planes from Singapore to Sumatra [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia]: argues that withdrawal of troops into Singapore had exposed 3 out of 4 aerodromes to artillery fire, and that to leave fighters on exposed aerodromes would be to invite their destruction; considers that there is "every intention and hope of holding" Singapore.
(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942
Telegram from WSC to the Prime Minister of New Zealand [Peter Fraser]: quotes telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding political and military representation of Australia, New Zealand and the Dutch East Indies [later Indonesia] [see CHAR 20/69B/79-80], and asks for comments.
(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942
Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC regarding the latest position in North Africa: describes troop positions; states that the immediate intention is to stabilise on a general line of present positions while retaining control of No Man's Land; believes that the tank situation is favourable and that the enemy is at the end of a long line of communications; is preparing a defensive position on a general line Sollum-Giarabub [Libya].
(Untitled), 04 Feb 1942
Telegram from Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] to WSC: states that he has been having a "very sticky time" with the Egyptian political crisis and the need to restore the temporarily shaken confidence of the military; believes that there has been no major lapse in preparations for the battle.
(Untitled), 04 Feb 1942
Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] regarding the fighter defence of Singapore: feels it is a disadvantage that the fighter force should have to waste time flying between Sumatra [Dutch East Indies, later Indonesia] and Singapore; hopes to send 90 more Hurricanes before the end of February.