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Second World War (1939-1945)

 Subject
Subject Source: UK Archival Thesaurus

Found in 2737 Collections and/or Records:

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(Untitled), 25 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/77-78
Scope and Contents

Note of a meeting held in the Home Office between the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security [Herbert Morrison], the Minister of Aircraft Production [Sir Stafford Cripps], the Minister of War Transport [1st Lord Leathers], the Minister of Works [Lord Portal, earlier Sir Wyndham Portal], and others, on the institution of a system of imminent danger warnings for air raids, marked "Secret".

Dates: 25 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 24 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/79-80
Scope and Contents

Extract from War Cabinet minutes of discussions on improving the public warning system for attacks by flying bombs, including contributions from the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security [Herbert Morrison], the Minister of Aircraft Production [Sir Stafford Cripps], the Minister of War Transport [1st Lord Leathers], and the Minister of Production [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos].

Dates: 24 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 20 Jul 1944 - 25 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/81
Scope and Contents

Minute from "H M" [Herbert Morrison], Minister of Home Security, to WSC suggesting that warnings for single flying bombs are instituted in "outer districts" of London, but that this will not greatly affect the number of warnings for the main part of London. [initialled] Annotated reply by WSC on 25 July doubting the value of this. [also annotated by WSC's Secretary Patrick Kinna and flagged "X"].

Dates: 20 Jul 1944 - 25 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 10 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/82
Scope and Contents

Extract from War Cabinet minutes of discussions on whether to modify the public warning system for attacks by flying bombs, including contributions from the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security [Herbert Morrison] and WSC.

Dates: 10 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 05 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/84
Scope and Contents

War Cabinet memorandum by the Minister of Labour and National Service [Ernest Bevin] marked "Secret" on public warnings for flying bombs suggesting "some warning of imminent danger should be given generally in the London Region".

Dates: 05 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 05 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/85-87
Scope and Contents

War Cabinet memorandum by the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security [Herbert Morrison] marked "Secret" on public warnings for flying bombs: setting out the existing arrangements in Greater London and the rest of South-East England and arguments for modifying the system, but concluding: "I therefore consider that a public warning is still necessary for flying bombs and piloted aircraft alike", with an appendix of copies of four recent letters from the public on the matter.

Dates: 05 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/88
Scope and Contents

Extract from War Cabinet minutes of discussions on modifying the public warning system for attacks by flying bombs, including contributions from WSC, the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security [Herbert Morrison] and the Minister of Aircraft Production [Sir Stafford Cripps].

Dates: 03 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Jul 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/89-91
Scope and Contents

Minute from WSC to Home Secretary [and Minister of Home Security, Herbert Morrison] suggesting the use of air raid sirens "requires immediate consideration" because of the creation of a "great deal of needless unrest", commenting on the need to clarify the purpose of the siren, what he has noticed of people's reactions, and arguing for more use to be made of shelters. [Carbon; annotated by Sir Desmond Morton, Prime Minister's Personal Assistant].

Dates: 03 Jul 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 16 Jun 1944

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/231/93
Scope and Contents

Extract from War Cabinet minutes of WSC's comments on reviewing the air raid warning system to ensure that warnings are not sounded because of the presence of isolated aircraft and the conclusion of a Staff Conference later that afternoon to that effect.

Dates: 16 Jun 1944
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 16 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/328
Scope and Contents

Telegram from HQ Bomber Command to the Air Ministry passing on a message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris [Commander in Chief Bomber Command] thanking WSC for his message on behalf of HM Government and praising his "unfailing encouragement", stating: "you were foremost of the pathfinders". [annotated by WSC's Private Office].

Dates: 16 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 15 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/329
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Air Ministry to Bomber Command passing on a message from WSC to [Commander in Chief] Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris praising the "decisive contribution" of Bomber Command in the victory over Germany.

Dates: 15 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 04 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/331
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Air Ministry to Allied Forces HQ passing on a "Personal and Top Secret" message from WSC to Field Marshal [Sir Harold] Alexander [later Lord Alexander of Tunis, Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean Theatre] enclosing a message for [Lieutenant] General [John] Cannon [Commander in Chief of Allied Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theatre] congratulating him and the airmen under his command on their work throughout the war in the Mediterranean.

Dates: 04 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 05 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/230/50
Scope and Contents Letter from [Stewart] Crawford [Private Secretary to Chief of Air Staff] (Air Ministry, King Charles Street, Whitehall) to [John] Martin [Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary] stating that the Chief of Air Staff [Air Marshal Sir Charles Portal] hopes that the various Air Force Commanders are remembered when WSC sends out congratulatory messages to the Anglo-American Forces in North-West Europe on VE Day and supplying notes and a table indicating the chain of command [CHAR 20/230/51]....
Dates: 05 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), [May] [1945]

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/230/51
Scope and Contents

Table indicating the chain of command under General [Dwight] Eisenhower, Supreme Commander [Allied Expeditionary Force in Western Europe, United States Army].

Dates: [May] [1945]
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/266
Scope and Contents

Letter from Captain Robin Sanderson (Grenadier Guards Company, Guards' Battalion, IRTD, CMF) to WSC congratulating him on the fifth anniversary of his Premiership, wishing him well for the future, and commenting on events in Italy. [Copy; annotated by John Martin, Prime Minister's Principal Private Secretary, to indicate that Sanderson was in charge of WSC's villa at Marrakesh, Morocco].

Dates: 03 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 May 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/267
Scope and Contents

Air letter from [Captain] Robin Sanderson (Grenadier Guards Company, Guards' Battalion, IRTD, CMF) to WSC congratulating him on the fifth anniversary of his Premiership, wishing him well for the future, and commenting on events in Italy. [signed manuscript; received 8 May].

Dates: 03 May 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 20 Jun 1945

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/229C/271
Scope and Contents

Letter from [Guy] Millard [Assistant Private Secretary] (Foreign Office) to [John] Colville [Prime Minister's Private Secretary] (10 Downing Street) enclosing a copy of a telegram containing a message from the Captains Regent [Casali and Valentini] and Foreign Secretary [Giacomini] of San Marino and a draft reply, and giving background information on San Marino's role in the war in Italy. [signed].

Dates: 20 Jun 1945
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), c 1946

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/250B/79-81
Scope and Contents

Typescript copy of a "Secret" despatch on the operations of Malaya [later Malaysia] Command, 8 December 1941 to 15 February 1942, by Major-General [Arthur] Percival, formerly General Officer Commanding Malaya, with sections on the period prior to the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, the operations on the mainland of Malaya, the battle of Singapore, and summary and conclusions, with a foreword by Percival, appendices including contemporary instructions and communications, and maps.

Dates: c 1946
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 21 Aug [1947]

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/3
Scope and Contents

Letter from [Lieutenant-General Sir Henry] Pownall (The Lea, Wittersham, Kent) to WSC suggesting that the publication of a despatch by [Field Marshal 1st Lord] Wavell [as Commander-in-Chief, India, see CHAR 20/251/9] is likely to lead to "some controversy", but that WSC should agree and reply to it at a forthcoming stage of his memoirs. [signed].

Dates: 21 Aug [1947]
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 13 Aug 1947

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/4-6
Scope and Contents Letter from [Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie] Hollis [Deputy Secretary (Military) of the Cabinet] (Ministry of Defence, Great George Street) to WSC (28 Hyde Park Gate) commenting on the probable controversy that will be caused by the publication of a despatch on Burma [later Myanmar] by [Field Marshal 1st] Lord Wavell [as Commander-in-Chief, India, see CHAR 20/251/9], sending on some background information [CHAR 20/251/7-8], giving the Prime Minister's [Clement Attlee] views, and asking for...
Dates: 13 Aug 1947
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 31 Dec 1941 - 01 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/7
Scope and Contents Telegram from Field Marshal [Sir John] Dill, [Head of] British Joint Staff Mission, Washington [United States], to Chief of Imperial General Staff [General Sir Alan Brooke, later 1st Lord Alanbrooke of Brookeborough] (War Office) marked "Most Secret" and "Private" commenting on United States views on the inclusion of Burma [later Myanmar] in [General Sir Archibald] Wavell's [ABDA] command and Chiang Kai-Shek's [President of China] position. [despatched on 1 January; post-war copy, flagged...
Dates: 31 Dec 1941 - 01 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 03 Jan 1942

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/8
Scope and Contents

Telegram from the Chiefs of Staff (War Office) to Commander-in-Chief, India, General [Sir Archibald] Wavell marked "Most Secret" sending on the text of a telegram from WSC on the thinking behind the decision for Burma [later Myanmar] to be included in the ABDA area. [post-war copy, flagged "A"].

Dates: 03 Jan 1942
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), c 1947

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/9
Scope and Contents

Typescript copy of a despatch by Field Marshal [1st] Lord Wavell [then Commander-in-Chief, India] on operations in Burma [later Myanmar], December 1941 to May 1942, dated 14 July 1942, including contemporary reports by Lieutenant-General [Thomas] Hutton and General [Sir Harold] Alexander [later 1st Lord Alexander of Tunis, successive General Officers Commanding, Burma].

Dates: c 1947
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), c 1947

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/10
Scope and Contents Long galley proofs entitled "Air Operations in Burma and Bay of Bengal, January 1st to May 22nd 1942" reprinting a contemporary despatch by Air Vice-Marshal [Donald] Stevenson [Air Officer Commanding, Burma, later Myanmar] with sections setting out the situation, on Japanese air strength, the air superiority battle over and later evacuation of Rangoon, the land battle at Tenasserim, the withdrawal up the Prome Road, the reverse at Magwe, the withdrawal of the Burma Army to India, and...
Dates: c 1947
Conditions Governing Access: Open
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(Untitled), 31 Jan 1948

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Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 20/251/43-44
Scope and Contents

Note from [Commodore George Gordon] Allen [to WSC] commenting on a report on air operations during the campaigns in Malaya [later Malaysia] and Netherland [East Indies, later Indonesia] by Vice-Marshal Sir Paul Maltby [see CHAR 20/251/45]. [signed].

Dates: 31 Jan 1948
Conditions Governing Access: Open