Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" regarding the President's proposals for the allocation of combat aircraft: states that the sole objective must be the optimum air impact on the enemy "irrespective of whether British or United States pilots man the aircraft"; calls for a common expansion plan; asks that General Henry Arnold [Chief of United States Army Air Force] and Towers be sent at the earliest possible moment and...

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret": reports on the signing of a treaty [of alliance between Britain and the Soviet Union]; comments on Vyacheslav Molotov [Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs] and asks for Roosevelt's impressions; states that all has gone well with the Northern convoy but that the next two days will be serious; comments on talks with General Henry Arnold [Chief of United States Army Air Force] and Towers...

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Telegram from John Curtin [Prime Minister of Australia] to WSC marked "most secret" commenting on the report he has received from Herbert Evatt [Australian Minister for External Affairs and Attorney General] on the results of his mission to London: thanks WSC for his assurances of support and practical assistance, including provision of three Spitfire squadrons and an RAF squadron, and proposes to express his Government's appreciation in the Australian parliament.

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Telegram from WSC to the Minister of State in the Middle East [Richard Casey] marked "most secret" outlining reasons why more heavy bombers cannot be sent to support the Malta convoy in June.

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Telegram from Field Marshal Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC marked "most secret and personal" congratulating WSC on the blitz on Cologne [Germany] and commenting on the battle in Libya and the enemy submarine attack at Diego Suarez [Madagascar].

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Copy of a letter from John Colville [pilot, RAFVR, former Private Secretary to WSC] to CSC with impressions of South Africa and criticisms of the Empire Air Training Scheme; with correspondence between WSC, Sir Archibald Sinclair [Secretary of State for Air, later 1st Lord Thurso] and 1st Lord Cherwell [Personal Assistant to WSC, earlier F A Lindemann] enquiring about the efficiency of the scheme, and Colville's progress.

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Correspondence on John Colville [former Private Secretary to WSC] being found unfit for a pilot's commission; includes letters between John Martin [Private Secretary to WSC], WSC, Sir Archibald Sinclair [Secretary of State for Air, later 1st Lord Thurso] and Ronald Melville [Private Secretary to Sinclair] on the inconvenience to WSC of releasing Colville, his progress in training, and the limitations of training in South Africa.

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Memorandum [submitted by Sir Edward Bridges, Secretary to the Cabinet] examining proposition by the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] for co-operation between the Services through an overall commander. [See CHAR 20/56B/129-134 for Cripps's proposition].

Scope and Contents Correspondence between Sir Stafford Cripps [Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons], WSC and Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the Cabinet] on memoranda by Cripps on subjects including: dissatisfaction in Parliament, the vote of censure against the Government and public opinion over progress of war in the Middle East, including leadership, weaponry, research and invention and the RAF; lack of public morale, the direction of the war and need for improved co-operation between the...

Scope and Contents Letter from 1st Lord Hankey [Paymaster-General] to WSC enclosing memoranda on the use and techniques of Bomber Command and the dispersal of capital ships and their use against Japan, written before his resignation; forwarded to the Secretary of State for Air [Sir Archibald Sinclair, later 1st Lord Thurso] and Chief of Air Staff [Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal], the First Lord of the Admiralty [A V Alexander] and 1st Sea Lord [Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound]; with replies by...

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Memorandum by Professor A V Hill [Member, War Cabinet Scientific Advisory Committee] on Science and the U-boat War addressed by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee to all MP's; includes covering note by Edward Salt, Deputy Chairman, Parliamentary and Scientific Committee.

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Copy of letter from George Sparrow to Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas on adapting the Mosquito aircraft as a torpedo bomber, forwarded by Lucas to Brigadier George Harvie-Watt [Parliamentary Private Secretary to WSC] with reply; plan rejected by Geoffrey Mander [Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Air].

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Letter and memorandum from Christopher Mackintosh [Chairman and Managing Director of Sir Henry Lunn Limited] to Brigadier George Harvie-Watt [Parliamentary Private Secretary to WSC] on development of "E.S." materials and threats used by Ministry of Aircraft Production to obtain patent; includes letter from Ben Smith [Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Aircraft Production] to Harvie-Watt, explaining their position.

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Telegram from 1st Lord Beaverbrook [Minister of Supply, British Supply Mission to the Soviet Union, earlier Max Aitken] to WSC on non-arrival in the Soviet Union of promised aircraft.

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Telegram from 1st Lord Beaverbrook [Minister of Supply, British Supply Mission to the Soviet Union, earlier Max Aitken] to WSC: Stalin no longer wants Spitfires, instead requires Tomahawks and Hurricanes.

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Telegram from WSC to 1st Lord Beaverbrook [Minister of Supply, British Supply Mission to the Soviet Union, earlier Max Aitken] agreeing to increased order of Hurricanes and Tomahawks for the Soviet Union.

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Letter from King George VI to WSC advising him to reconsider his choice of [1st] Lord Beaverbrook [earlier Sir Max Aitken] for Aircraft Production in the Air Ministry; feels there will be repercussions, especially in Canada where the Air Training Scheme will take place. [manuscript].

Scope and Contents Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] marked "personal and secret" requesting supplies of aircraft: asks for help in securing a loan of 200 Martlets (fighter aircraft) to help meet the threat posed by Japanese aircraft carriers equipped with fighter dive-bombers; asks for an early supply of transport aircraft for use by British airborne forces during the summer; suggests that American airborne units should be sent to train alongside their British...

Scope and Contents Telegram from General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander- in-Chief, India] to WSC marked "most immediate", "secret" and "personal" regarding possible offensive action in the Far East [see also CHAR 20/76/111-112]: comments on the deficiencies in his air forces; comments on the need for clearer understanding with the United States forces; agrees to suspend the offensive and send troops to General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] if needed; outlines what could be achieved...

Scope and Contents Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC marked "personal and secret" regarding the movement of American equipment and personnel to Britain: states that the failure of the United States to meet minimum requirements for carrier fighters in 1942 means that he cannot loan Martlets [fighter aircraft] to Britain; comments on plans to move air transport units to Britain; welcomes invitation for American parachutists to train in Britain and states that a...

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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.

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...

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Letter from WSC to King George VI accepting his invitation to dinner that evening to discuss with the Field Marshal the strategic scene and stating that there is no possibility of reversing the agreement as the United States Staff and Marshal Stalin would oppose this and highlighting that it is only in Britain that the Metropolitan Fighter Air Force can have full effect Signature in typescript.

Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, July 1943.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; senior civil servants, including Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers; "C" [Major General Sir Stewart Menzies, Head of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service].Subjects covered by the minutes...

Scope and Contents Prime Minister's printed personal minutes, August 1943. Some written by WSC when in Canada and the United States.Includes texts of minutes from WSC (annotated with additional printed information) to: Sir Edward Bridges [Secretary to the War Cabinet]; General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence]; members of the Cabinet and other government ministers, particularly Foreign Secretary [Anthony Eden, later 1st Lord Avon]; the Chief Whip [James Stuart]; the Chiefs of...