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CHAR 20/45/1
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Telegram from WSC to Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] "No view can be taken of the future until we know how this [Crusader, codename for major British operation in North Africa] goes. A battle is a veil through which it is not wise to peer".
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11 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/2-4
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Telegram from Stalin to WSC on need for Anglo-Soviet understandings on war aims and post-war objectives; queries publicity given to Soviet request for declaration of war on Finland, Hungary and Romania; adds that equipment shipments are arriving damaged.
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13 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/5
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Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC expressing gratitude for "tonic effect" of Mansion house speech [10 Nov 1941].
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11 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/6
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Page 4 of CHAR 20/45/2-4.
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13 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/7-8
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Telegram from WSC to Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] deploring the release of Jawaharlal Nehru and the Satyagrahi prisoners; advises Cabinet will discuss matter later.
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12 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/9
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Telegram from WSC to Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East [Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder] congratulating him on good effects of his attacks.
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13 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/10-11
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Telegram from the Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC hoping for Cabinet advice before debate goes ahead in Indian Parliament; with reply advising not possible.
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13 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/12
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Telegram from U Saw [Prime Minister of Burma] to WSC and Secretary of State for India and Burma [Leo Amery] requesting that Burmese affairs be handled by the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs [Lord Cranborne, later 5th Lord Salisbury] as indication of dawning self-government.
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11 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/13
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Telegram from Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East [Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder] to WSC thanking him for congratulations.
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13 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/14-15
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, "Are you satisfied that this [evacuation of Australians from Tobruk, Libya] will not interfere with Crusader" [codename for major British operation in North Africa]; with reply from Major-General Arthur Smith [Chief of General Staff, Middle East] advising that Auchinleck is satisfied.
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14 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/16
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Hastings Ismay [Chief of Staff to WSC] requesting opinion of a critical report on British Army made by United States army advisers.
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12 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/17
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Telegram from WSC to Sir Walter Monckton "I am so glad you are safe".
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14 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/18-19
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Telegram from Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC justifying the release of the Satyagrahis.
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15 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/20
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Telegram from Fiorello LaGuardia [Mayor of New York City] to WSC inviting him to address, by radio, a conference of the heads of United States cities.
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15 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/21-22
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] with a message of confidence from King George VI to all ranks participating in the coming battle [Crusader, codename for major British operation in North Africa]; includes Ministry of Defence note on copying the telegram.
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15 Nov 1941 - 16 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/23
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Telegram from Arthur Jenkins [Parliamentary Private Secretary to Clement Attlee, Lord Privy Seal] to WSC advising that he and the Lord Privy Seal will leave Lisbon [Portugal] on 17 Nov.
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16 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/24
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Telegram from WSC to James Forrestal [United States Under Secretary of Navy] thanking him for his letter.
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15 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/25
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Telegram from West African pilot, via Sir Bernard Bourdillon, Governor of Nigeria, to WSC requesting clarification of the Atlantic Charter and its application to coloured races in the Colonial Empire.
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15 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/26
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Telegram from Prime Minister of Polish Government and Commander-in-Chief, Polish Army [General Wladyslaw Sikorski] to WSC expressing confidence for coming battle in Middle East.
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16 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/27
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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] "We are immensely encouraged by your Neutrality Amendment".
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/28
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Telegram from WSC to Minister, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] proposing that Sir John Singleton head an enquiry into delay caused by front axles of cruiser tanks; requests statement from Lyttelton.
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/29-30
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] advising that upon success of Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa] an operation could mounted to move 2 and a half divisions into Tunis [Tunisia], Algiers [Algeria] or Morocco at French invitation.
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/31
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Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC on talks with Admiral Sir Tom Phillips [Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet]; expresses doubts about capability of 2 separate fleets to combat superior Japanese fleet.
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/32
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC "no definite news of progress" of Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa].
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/33
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC thanking King George VI for his message.
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18 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/34
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Telegram from Sir Walter Monckton to WSC thanking him for his message.
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17 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/35
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] advising of a press blackout on all mention of offensive in Middle East and North Africa.
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19 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/36
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC: "Presume you have read special information about flood disaster to enemy in Derna region [Libya]".
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19 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/37
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC: Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa] satisfactory despite bad weather; they believe Field Marshal Erwin Rommel does not yet appreciate scale of operations.
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19 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/38-39
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC reporting first impressions of enemy reaction to attack; communique on offensive released from Cairo [Egypt].
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19 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/40
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] requesting future releases to be made through London.
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20 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/41-42
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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] on state of offensive in Libya; essential to success to retain General Maxime Weygand [Governor-General of Algeria and Delegate-General of Vichy Government in French Africa], or not to have pro-German, as leader of Vichy France in Africa.
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20 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/43
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Telegram from the Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] to WSC "will send you a report as soon as possible".
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19 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/44
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Telegram from WSC to General Wladyslaw Sikorski [Prime Minister of Polish Government and Commander-in-Chief, Polish Army] thanking him for his tribute to the British forces in the Middle East; praises Polish troops.
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20 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/45-46
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC requesting that communiques should be issued in Middle East, not edited by London; with reply from WSC allowing release but complaining of inconvenience in dealing with press, Parliament and the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt.
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20 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/47
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Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC congratulating him on success in Libya; advises that Marshal Philippe Petain [Chief of French State] has removed General Maxime Weygand [Governor-General of Algeria and Delegate-General of Vichy Government in French Africa] and French High Military Command North Africa will be administered from Vichy potentially giving Germany diplomatic control.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/48
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Telegram from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC: battle report; mentions Tobruk, Derna, Bardia [Libya], Malta and Benghazi.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/49-50
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Telegrams from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC: battle report; casualties, damage around Sidi Rezegh Capuzzo, Bir-El- Gobi, Bir-I-Cheim [Libya] and Sidi-Omar [Egypt].
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/51-53
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Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] on encouraging start to operation Crusader in Libyan Desert:]; with copy.
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22 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/54-55
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Telegrams from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] thanking him for "very full information now flowing"; needs the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to put pressure on Vichy France not to surrender Bizerta [Tunisia] to Germany.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/56-58
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Telegram from WSC to Stalin agreeing to declare war on Finland if they do not break with the Axis in 2 weeks; if German-Italian Army defeated in desert will send Anthony Eden [Foreign Secretary, later 1st Lord Avon] to discuss progress of war and post-war peace settlement.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/59
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Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] and Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] thanking them for encouraging news.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/60-61
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Telegram from [Alfred] Duff Cooper [Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, later 1st Lord Norwich] to WSC on discussions with Australian War Advisory Council; suggests Robert Menzies as next Commissioner-General with Sir George Sansom [Adviser to Far Eastern Mission, Ministry of Economic Warfare, Singapore] as second in command.
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/62-63
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with Libyan Desert battle information on Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa].
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/64
|
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21 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/65-67
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Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with detailed information on progress of battle and projected outcome.
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22 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/68
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Telegram from Government of Australia to WSC criticising the conduct of war and expressing dissatisfaction at changes in plan.
|
22 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/70
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Telegram from Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] and Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] thanking him for his telegram.
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22 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/71-72
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Telegrams from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] sharing confidence in outcome of battle; message of encouragement for troops; warning about letting secret information fall into enemy hands.
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23 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/73
|
Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] forwarding battle information from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East].
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22 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/74
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Telegram from WSC to Washington [? Lord Halifax, British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] promising to study his letter discreetly.
|
23 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/75-79
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Telegrams from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with latest battle information; with reply from WSC stressing need to capture Benghazi [Libya] to prevent enemy refuelling.
|
22 Nov 1941 - 23 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/80
|
Telegram from Major-General Arthur Smith [Chief of General Staff, Middle East] to WSC advising that Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] has gone to Eighth Army Headquarters.
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23 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/81
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Telegram from WSC to Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean [Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham] emphasising need to intercept enemy ships supplying Benghazi [Libya].
|
23 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/82
|
Telegram from WSC to the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] reporting on progress of Libyan Desert battle, Crusader [codename for major British operation in North Africa].
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24 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/83
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Telegram from WSC to Sir Walter Monckton [Director- General of British Propaganda and Information Services at Cairo, Egypt] on over-frequent references to United States tanks which may offend British manufacturers.
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24 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/84
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] with details of extra units arriving at Suez [Egypt] for use in Libyan desert.
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24 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/85
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Telegram from Major-General Arthur Smith [Chief of General Staff, Middle East] to WSC advising Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] will report later.
|
24 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/86
|
Telegram from General Wladyslaw Sikorski [Prime Minister of Polish Government and Commander-in-Chief, Polish Army] to WSC praising the Allied force in their victory.
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24 Nov 1941 |
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CHAR 20/45/87
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with detailed report on advance situation; General Alan Cunningham [General Officer Commanding-in-Chief 8th Army in Middle East] ordered to capture Sidi-Rezegh [Libya].
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24 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/88
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] congratulating him on fighting spirit; promises oil tankers.
|
25 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/89-91
|
Telegram from Stalin to WSC on declaration of war on Finland, Romania and Hungary; welcomes visit by Anthony Eden [Foreign Secretary, later 1st Lord Avon].
|
[1941] |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/92-93
|
Telegram from Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada, to WSC enquiring whether General Maxime Weygand's dismissal [as Governor-General of Algeria and Delegate-General of Vichy Government in French Africa] should end cordial relations with Vichy Government; expulsion of French legation from Canada and South Africa may damage French resistance.
|
24 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/94-96
|
Telegram from General Jan Smuts [Prime Minister of South Africa] to WSC fearing Germany may now control French fleet and ports in North Africa overshadowing Syrian desert successes; fears developments in Caucasus which threaten oil supplies.
|
24 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/97-99
|
Telegram from the Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] to WSC on decision to replace General Alan Cunningham [General Officer Commanding-in-Chief 8th Army in Middle East] with Major-General Neil Ritchie, favoured by Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East], Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder [Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Middle East] and Brigadier Eric Shearer; with approval from WSC.
|
25 Nov 1941 |
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|
CHAR 20/45/100-103
|
Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC on proposals by the Japanese Ambassador [Kichisaburo Nomura]; for restoration of peace with China in return for petroleum from the United States and an end to sanctions; United States propose trade deal involving raw silk; suspects trouble will follow soon anyway; with reply from WSC expressing concern for China.
|
25 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/104-105
|
Telegram from WSC to the Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] with draft announcement of the release of the Satyagrahi movement prisoners.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/106
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with information on battle; pushing south to Michili-Benghazi- El-Ageila [Libya]; replacing General Alan Cunningham [General Officer Commanding-in-Chief 8th Army in Middle East] with Major-General Neil Ritchie.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/107
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] enquiring about reserve tanks and resources remaining.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/108
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with text of message of encouragement issued to the troops.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/109
|
Telegram from WSC to [Alfred] Duff Cooper [Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, later 1st Lord Norwich] asking him to explain his lack of confidence in Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham [former Commander-in-Chief, Far East] to the Commonwealth Government; annotated not sent.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/110
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC on battle in Libyan Desert, [Crusader, codename for major British operation in North Africa].
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/111
|
Telegram from WSC to Commander Force K congratulating him on success in Malta.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/112-113
|
Telegram from the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt] to WSC introducing William Bullitt, to be Roosevelt's personal representative in the Near East; with acknowledgement from WSC.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/114
|
Telegram from Lord Halifax [British Ambassador to the United States, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] to WSC with information about William Bullitt [Special representative of Franklin Roosevelt, President of the United States, in the Near East].
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/115
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] suggesting he go to the front line.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/116-118
|
Telegrams from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with news of battle; New Zealanders joined with Tobruk garrison near El-Duda [Libya]; movements to relieve exhausted troops.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/119
|
Telegram from Sir Walter Monckton [Director-General of British Propaganda and Information Services at Cairo, Egypt] to WSC promising to restore balance in praising British and United States tanks.
|
26 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/120-121
|
Telegram from WSC to Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] answering criticism by Herbert Evatt, Australian Minister of External Affairs, at failure to declare war on Finland, Romania and Hungary; sympathises over loss of the Sydney.
|
28 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/122
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with news of battle.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/123
|
Telegram from WSC to the Minister of State, Middle East [Oliver Lyttelton, later 1st Lord Chandos] forwarding the President of the United States [Franklin Roosevelt]'s introduction of William Bullitt as Roosevelt's special representative in the Near East.
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/124-125
|
Telegram from the Viceroy and Governor-General of India [2nd Lord Linlithgow, earlier Lord Hopetoun] to WSC rejecting his draft release of the Satyagrahi movement prisoners. [See CHAR 20/45/104-105].
|
27 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/126
|
Telegram from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander- in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC explaining why he chose Major- General Neil Ritchie to replace General Alan Cunningham as commander of the 8th Army instead of assuming command personally.
|
28 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/127-128
|
Telegram from WSC to Field Marshal Baron Carol Mannerheim [? Commander-in-Chief, Finnish armed forces] warning that the allies may be forced to declare war on Finland unless she ceases hostilities.
|
28 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/129-130
|
Telegrams from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with news of battle; estimates of German and Italian tank strength; unloading of United States and Cruiser tanks.
|
28 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/131
|
Telegram from WSC to Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] explaining he wanted Auchinleck to visit the front not take command.
|
29 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/132
|
Telegram from WSC to Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahamas [Duke of Windsor, earlier King Edward VIII and Edward, Prince of Wales] regretting personal attacks in the House of Commons on Windsor's visit to the United States and Canada.
|
28 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/133-134
|
Telegram from Prime Minister of Australia [John Curtin] to WSC justifying the Australian Government's difference in policy, e.g. over Finland.
|
29 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/135-137
|
Telegrams from Major-General Sir Claude Auchinleck [Commander-in-Chief, Middle East] to WSC with news of battle and statistics of prisoners; promises to maintain momentum; repulse of advance by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
|
29 Nov 1941 |
|
|
CHAR 20/45/138
|
Old file cover and list of reference figures.
|
Nov 1941 |
|