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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), 29 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69A/58
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander- in-Chief, Middle East, to WSC regarding the deterioration of the situation in North Africa, including: his fear that it will be necessary to temporarily evacuate Benghazi [Libya]; 7th Indian Infantry Brigade threatened with envelopment and withdrawn; demolitions ordered to be carried out in Benghazi; a report of action in progress about 20 miles north of Masus; admitting that the enemy has succeeded beyond his expectations and...
Dates: 29 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69A/66
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 30 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69A/70-71
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 30 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: From the File: Open
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(Untitled), 31 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/81
Scope and Contents

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".

Dates: 31 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/86
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] regarding personnel changes at ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] command: informs him that he had sent his [Wavell's] earlier telegram to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]; quotes from President Roosevelt's reply to WSC [see CHAR 20/69B/79-80]; surmises that the American idea is to pull General Douglas MacArthur [Commander in Chief, American Forces in the...
Dates: 01 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/87-88
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]: is enclosing message from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] of 29 [January]; comments on likely ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] command structure; comments on Roosevelt's telegram [see CHAR 20/69B/79-80]; thanks Roosevelt for his kindness, "I cannot tell you how sorry I was to leave the White House". Annotated: "not to be repeated to Lord Halifax" [British...
Dates: 01 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 30 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/91-92
Scope and Contents

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".

Dates: 30 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/93
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 01 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/94-95
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 02 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/97
Scope and Contents

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].

Dates: 02 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/98
Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Supreme Commander, South West Pacific] to WSC regarding personnel changes at ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] command: believes that Air Marshal Sir Richard Peirse should remain in his present position [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Bomber Command]; that Lieutenant-General George Brett's position as Wavell's deputy and Intendant General is not fully understood by the United States; is prepared to accept Vice- Admiral Conrad...
Dates: 02 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/99-105
Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] regarding personnel changes at ABDA [Australian, British, Dutch and Australasian] command and organisation of Pacific Council: suggests future ABDA command structure, and advocates temporarily leaving Admiral Thomas Hart [United States Admiral in the Pacific] where he is or substituting him with a younger American Admiral; believes it necessary to have a Far East Council in London, which would make recommendations...
Dates: 03 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/109
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 03 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/111-112
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 02 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/114-115
Scope and Contents

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].

Dates: 03 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 04 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/116
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 04 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 04 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/69B/117
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 04 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Jan 1942 - 28 Feb 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/1
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, January and February 1942. Some written by WSC when in the United States.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; Lord Halifax [earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin, British Ambassador to the United States]; the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to...
Dates: 02 Jan 1942 - 28 Feb 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Mar 1942 - 30 Mar 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/2
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, March 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; the Chiefs of Staff; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chief Whip [James Stuart].Subjects covered by the minutes include: matters concerning the command structure, including...
Dates: 01 Mar 1942 - 30 Mar 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Apr 1942 - 30 Apr 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/3
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, April 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chiefs of Staff.Subjects covered by the minutes include: the Japanese threat to the Falkland Islands; discussion of operation "Ironclad" [code name for British occupation of Diego Suarez, Madagascar]; the British naval...
Dates: 01 Apr 1942 - 30 Apr 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 May 1942 - 31 May 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/4
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, May 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chiefs of Staff; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence].Subjects covered by the minutes include: aircraft production; bombing policy; operation "Ironclad" in Madagascar; the availability of ammunition for the Home Guard; naval operations in the Indian Ocean;...
Dates: 01 May 1942 - 31 May 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 01 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/5
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, June 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; the Chiefs of Staff; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet].Subjects covered by the minutes include: discussion of proposed operations against Germany in northern Norway ("Jupiter"), Spitsbergen ("Jackpot") and France...
Dates: 01 Jun 1942 - 27 Jun 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Jul 1942 - 28 Aug 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/6
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, July and August 1942. Some written by WSC when in the Middle East.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; the Chiefs of Staff; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet].Subjects covered by the...
Dates: 03 Jul 1942 - 28 Aug 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Sep 1942 - 30 Sep 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/7
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, September 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; Major-General Leslie Hollis [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet]; the Chiefs of Staff; Colonel John Bevan [Head of the London Controlling Section]; Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Moore [Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]; Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris [Commander in Chief Bomber...
Dates: 02 Sep 1942 - 30 Sep 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 02 Oct 1942 - 31 Oct 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/67/8
Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, October 1942.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; the Chiefs of Staff; Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Jacob [Military Assistant Secretary to the War Cabinet].Subjects covered by the minutes include:...
Dates: 02 Oct 1942 - 31 Oct 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open