Halifax Peninsula

City

The Halifax Peninsula is a community and planning area located in the urban core of Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) in the province of Nova Scotia. Halifax Peninsula is home to Downtown Halifax, the financial and economic heart of the region, which was also the site of the original settlement and town of Halifax. It is also home to the majority ...

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Documents about Halifax Peninsula

Thursday 8th February 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax to ministers: “hope of peace without a blood bath”, Stafford Cripps reports Soviets “uneasy” with Nazi alliance
person Stafford Cripps
person Adolf Hitler
person Roger Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes
place Finland
place Russian Empire
place East Germany
place Halifax Peninsula
place Moscow
place Europe
place Bulgaria
place West Germany
place Iran
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation Labour Party (UK)
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Wednesday 13th March 1940

Meeting minutes

extract PM on Sumner Welles mission: “aiming for the impossible”. No peace without “real change of outlook in Germany”
person Sumner Welles
person Adolf Hitler
person Harold Wilson
person Joachim von Ribbentrop
place Great Britain
place Finland
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place Europe
place Berlin
place Rome
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves development of standard men’s suit to save wool. Halifax warns against “depression” over policy failures
person Sumner Welles
person Harold Wilson
person Frederick Marquis, 1st Earl of Woolton
place New York, Lincolnshire
place Finland
place Halifax Peninsula
place Brussels
place Turkey
place Europe
place West Germany
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Scapa
 

South-Eastern Europe.

extract Lord Halifax also warns against action in South-Eastern Europe that does not involve “overwhelming force”.
place Greece
place Russian Empire
place Halifax Peninsula
place Hungary
place Turkey
place Paris
place Europe
place Bulgaria
place West Germany
 

Policy to be adopted towards Norway and Sweden in consequence of their attitude during the Finnish War.

extract Halifax concerned French plans against Norway will alienate neutrals. Suggests speaking “frankly” to Norway and Sweden
place Great Britain
place Finland
place East Germany
place Halifax Peninsula
place Narvik
place Europe
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Wednesday 3rd April 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Chamberlain: “Matters have now gone too far for us not to take action.” Date of April 8th set for operation
extract Halifax urges delay of minelaying to inform governments. War Secretary warns this would cause fall of French government
extract War Secretary: “Garbled report” of German force collecting at Rostock for action in Scandinavia. Swedish sources confirm
person Neville Chamberlain
place Ankara
place Halifax Peninsula
place Paris
place Oslo
place Istanbul
place Stockholm
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Royal Marines
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK to support Afghans in case of Soviet aggression. Rhine mining operation abandoned at French insistence
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Ronnie Campbell
person Harold Wilson
person Neville Chamberlain
place Afghanistan
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place North America
place West Germany
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Sunday 12th May 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Germans advancing in Holland, Belgium. RAF has lost 76 aircraft in 48 hours. UK forces continuing to retreat in Norway
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Neville Chamberlain
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
 

Meeting minutes

extract Prime Minister to send personal message to President Roosevelt to attempt to gain more American support
extract Lord Halifax warns of “fresh outburst of Italian animosity”. He is now “less confident” that Mussolini will not go to war
extract Situation in Holland “very precarious”. German tanks advancing along whole western front. French forces being pushed back
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Halifax Peninsula
 

Meeting minutes

extract Chief of Air Staff has received naval intelligence suggesting Italy “seeking an excuse for entering the war”
extract Lord Halifax urges consideration of possibility of German paratroop attack on Ireland. Eire government to be informed
extract Belgian Ambassador complains British troops moving through Brussels which his government has declared an open city
extract Lord Gort reports “satisfactory” position of British Expeditionary Force. Belgians and French withdrawing to Antwerp line
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Halifax Peninsula
place Gibraltar
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Rome
organisation Royal Marines
 

Meeting minutes

extract Home Security Minister calls for internment of enemy aliens. PM: “Better that these persons should be behind barbed-wire”
extract German attack on Switzerland today “possible”. PM: Swiss “brave and determined”. "Confident they would fight the invader”
extract PM to send personal message to Mussolini expressing “hope that this country and Italy should not be divided by bloodshed”
extract Chief of Air Staff reports loss of over 100 British fighter aircraft. Pilots “in tremendous fettle, but weary”
extract Belgian government has not yet evacuated Brussels. UK command “confident” Belgians can hold position
extract Lord Halifax confirms Dutch government will continue war from exile and in Colonies. Information Minister to announce
extract Churchill “refuses to accept” PM Reynaud’s “gloomy” analysis of "serious" military situation. French Generals “calm”
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Winston Churchill
person Paul Reynaud
person Alan Keyes
place Great Britain
place Portugal
place Halifax Peninsula
place Republic of China
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK force in Norway told to expect no new troops to support operations around Narvik. Town will be captured “any moment”
extract PM orders 12 new fighter squadrons in a month. Air Production Minister to discuss how to meet “impossible” target
extract Air Chief: Germans made “considerable advance” overnight. Situation “very serious”. Information Minister to warn public
extract PM reports on visit to France. Demanded "supreme effort" in exchange for more aircraft because of "grave risk" to UK
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Narvik
place Paris
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK to “stiffen up” measures against aliens and fifth column. Home Secretary: Action against British fascists “difficult”
extract PM: Germans will not adopt "policy of indiscriminate bombing". "More profitable" to concentrate on military targets”
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
place Halifax Peninsula
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agrees no further refugees should be admitted to UK until the military situation becomes clearer
extract UK Ambassador Belgrade reports rumour Germany may make peace offer before a “decisive attack” on England
extract Halifax and Churchill express concern at UK operations in Norway. Force used “urgently needed elsewhere”
extract As “precautionary measure” PM directs Admiralty to gather large number of small vessels ready to proceed to French coast
extract Le Havre subjected to intense air attack overnight. RAF has lost a further 23 aircraft in last 24 hours
extract German units advancing on Arras, held by "partially trained" 23rd Division. BEF holding: “Tired but in very good heart”
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Samuel Hoare
person Francisco Franco
person John Reith, 1st Baron Reith
place Great Britain
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM does not feel “every aspect of the problem” covered. Cabinet to reconsider elements of the planning over the next week
extract UK to send demolition parties to Calais, Boulogne. PM: “no immediate risk of Germans occupying French ports in strength”
extract BEF "seen practically no fighting so far". Casualties around 500. Refugees are hampering military and need to be cleared
extract General Ironside criticises French "indecision". "Nothing wrong" with army in Flanders. General Billotte "doing nothing"
extract PM: “No reason” counter-attack on Cambrai should not succeed. Force must "fight hard under open warfare conditions”
extract PM stresses "overwhelming" Allied superiority of numbers in France. “Very small" German forces holding captured towns.
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Alan Keyes
place Great Britain
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Halifax Peninsula
place Narvik
 

Meeting minutes

extract Sir Stafford Cripps has suggested buying aircraft from USSR - direct or via Chinese government. Lord Halifax to pursue
extract Churchill reports on meetings in France. PM Reynaud called possible UK success at Narvik an “enheartening contribution”
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Stafford Cripps
person Winston Churchill
person Paul Reynaud
place Halifax Peninsula
place Narvik
 

Meeting minutes

extract Chamberlain circulates proposed new restrictions on enemy and neutral aliens in UK. PM favours deportation
extract US warns of planned German sabotage of UK communication centres. Home Secretary: "All possible steps" already being taken
extract Dunkirk filled with French soldiers. Only “certain small” UK units. General Ironside warns town may not hold more troops
extract Three British battalions holding position in Calais as town is shelled. So far unable to clear forward road to St. Omer
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person Alan Keyes
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Calais
place Rome
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Cabinet informed French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud arriving in London for meetings with British government
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Paul Reynaud
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Secretary Eden: “Now clear” Calais has fallen. UK troops "cut off from the quay", holding positions in the streets
extract No information on Army casualties. “Some personnel” withdrawn from France. Ship leaving Dunkirk “heavily attacked”
extract PM informs War Cabinet King Leopold of Belgium seeking Armistice - to take effect from Midnight. “Certainly not heroic”
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Alan Keyes
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Belgian Land Component
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM opposed. US “given us practically no help in the war”, keep "everything which would help us for their own defence”
extract British Ambassador to Washington suggests lease of UK bases overseas to America to help pay war debts
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person John Dill
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Halifax Peninsula
place Brussels
place Iceland
place Bermuda
place Washington
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Indian National Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Cabinet rejects French suggestion of an appeal to the US. Would confirm American “fears as to our weakness”
extract Chamberlain presents draft reply to French. "Intended to paint a picture" to persuade them worthwhile "to go on fighting"
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person Neville Chamberlain
place Halifax Peninsula
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK Ambassador Rome says Italy's entry into the war “now a certainty” and the delay can “no longer be reckoned in months”
extract Cabinet informed French and Norwegian troops have occupied Narvik Decision on UK to evacuate postponed http://ow.ly/1Rvsg
extract RAF switching from continuous patrols over Dunkirk to “occasional patrols of much greater strength”
extract HMS Wakeful and HMS Grafton sunk while evacuating troops. Over 630 casualties
extract PM: Latest information from Admiralty that 40,000 BEF troops now returned to UK. 2000 men being evacuated every hour
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person Kingsley Wood
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Morocco
place Rome
 

Meeting minutes

extract Evacuation of children from vulnerable UK coastal towns to begin in 72 hours. London registration will begin June 3rd
extract Cabinet discuss possible German plans for invasion of UK and home defence. PM suggests using gas to defend UK beaches
extract Home Secretary prepares deportation of 1,500 Italians (“desperate characters”) if Anglo-Italian relations worsen further
extract French government makes clear their intention to approach Signor Mussolini without the UK
extract Air Chief: Bad weather over France "in our favour" preventing Germany bombing beaches
extract Admiralty and War Office put number of troops evacuated at over 100,000. Information Minister to tell press of withdrawal
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Clive Anderson
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Halifax Peninsula
place Dunkirk
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Latest evacuation figures (1200 BST) 139, 244 returned from BEF, 14811 Allied troops. Evacuees classed as casualties 9480
extract Rumours Germans developing amphibious tanks for UK landings. Beach mines being produced at rate of 10,000 a week
extract In last 24 hours 5 ships have been sunk, 3 on fire, 4 damaged. 222 Navy vessels and 665 ships and boats used in operation
extract First Sea Lord has ordered "equal opportunities" for British and French troops for embarkation from beaches
extract Eden to order Lord Gort's departure for his own safety. French troops to be evacuated until "not safe" for UK to remain
extract First Sea Lord says "swell on the beaches" delaying embarkations. Will "probably abate later"
extract Signs of major German attack; unclear for today or tomorrow. Lord Gort hopes most remaining troops will sail tonight
extract War Secretary Eden reports Dunkirk evacuation figures as at 0700 BST: 133,878 men from BEF and 11,666 Allied troops
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Ernest Bevin
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Portugal
place Halifax Peninsula
place Lisbon, New York
place Rome
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation United States Navy
organisation United States Congress
 

Saturday 1st June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract US State Department warns appeal to US from UK and France counterproductive. Suggests broadcast to the Empire. PM agrees
extract PM: Dunkirk "first real trial of strength" for RAF and Luftwaffe. Germany has "failed consistently", far heavier loss
extract Chief of Air Staff reports 42 confirmed and 14 unconfirmed German aircraft shot down yesterday against 26 British losses
extract PM: "Now clear" embarkation must be completed tonight. "No hope" for French troops outside our perimeter. Navy concur
extract Lord Gort reports shelling and bombing of Dunkirk beaches "extremely severe". General Alexander struggling to hold line
extract Cabinet to consider more help for France. Suggestion to send bombers to southern France ready to attack Italian industry
extract PM informs Cabinet of discussions at Allied War Council in Paris. French satisfied with Dunkirk, Norway evacuation plans
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Great Britain
place Afghanistan
place Greece
place Halifax Peninsula
place Brussels
place Dunkirk
place Paris
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation United States Department of State
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Commander in Chief Home Forces to report to Cabinet within 48 hours on progress of preparations against invasion of UK
extract PM urges General Staff to work on “problem of defeating tanks”. General Dill says this being “intensively examined”
extract Halifax: Everything points to Italy “having decided to come into the war against us”. Italy cargo ships to be intercepted
extract Evacuation figures from Dunkirk at 1200 BST: 276,030 men removed. (215,369 British, 59,866 Allied troops)
extract Reynaud requests three UK division be redeployed to Western front and RAF fighters to be based in French aerodromes
extract Telegram from PM Reynaud: “We have indications of an early attack at several points on the Front”
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person Maxime Weygand
person Winston Churchill
person Edward Spears
person Paul Reynaud
place Halifax Peninsula
place Dunkirk
organisation British Army
organisation French Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract Dominions Secretary to invite Canadian government to take over defence of Iceland from occupying British force
extract Cabinet approves changes to UK bombing rules. Chamberlain: German action provides "fullest justification" for proposals
extract Report from Rome of German plan to move troops from Naples to Cadiz for attack on Ireland. Halifax: “Unwise to ignore”
extract Total number of evacuees at 0600 BST: 292,380. Halifax: Total not to be released to Press because of French objections
extract Situation confused. Unclear how many French now at bridgehead. Germans not pressing attack but beach under artillery fire
extract PM: Personnel of BEF have been withdrawn to this country "practically intact". French could do more to evacuate
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
place Halifax Peninsula
place Iceland
place Dunkirk
place Paris
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Rome
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation United States Navy
organisation Government of Canada
 

Meeting minutes

extract Navy Chief: “Still a number of small craft in the Channel.” Air reconnaissance carried out, some small vessels brought in
extract French request further air help, anti tank weapons. PM to examine with Chiefs of Staff
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
place Halifax Peninsula
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Report Egypt wishes to remain neutral in UK-Italy conflict. Egyptian PM told with "brutal straightness" this impossible
extract General Dill: Situation in France "generally more favourable". But concern at possible German breakthrough near Rouen
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
place Egypt
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place Halifax Peninsula
place Iceland
 

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: "Generally speaking" French holding German attacks. "Real anxiety" whether they have adequate reserves
extract Chief of Naval Staff fears German claims to have sunk HMS Glorious “almost certainly true”
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Francisco Franco
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Home Security Minister now taking into custody Italians resident in the UK. Cabinet keen to deport "as many as possible"
extract General Dill: French "fighting well", German advance "much slower" than expected. News scant due to move of French HQ
extract UK Ambassador Paris reports French morale "now everywhere good", sees "a general determination to fight to a finish"
extract PM to go to France for Supreme War Council meeting. Aims to find out French intentions, discourage move to separate peace
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person John Dill
place Portugal
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill: A "chapter in the war" now closing. "We must now concentrate everything on the defence of this island"
extract Eden: French politicians in favour of peace with Germany "might find themselves strong enough" to overthrow PM Reynaud
extract General Weygand to declare Paris an open city. "Full of defenceless people", will "not see it destroyed" by bombardment
extract PM: "Defeatist" Marshal Petain has "made up his mind that peace must be made". He is "a dangerous man at this juncture"
extract General Weygand: French army "almost completely exhausted". General de Gaulle supports "carrying on a guerrilla warfare"
extract PM: Talks with French "studiously polite and dignified" but clear that France "near the end of organised resistance"
extract War Cabinet meeting again on PM's return from talks with French. General Dill reports UK 52nd division now in France
extract UK Ambassador Cairo recommends installing new "loyal" PM in Egypt. If King objects, to be told "comply or get out"
extract Damage from overnight Italian bombing raids on Malta "neglible". RAF attacked targets in Italian Libya, Eritrea
extract French Command blocked some UK planes from bombing runs on Italy overnight. Halifax: "Prompted by fear of reprisals"
extract German advanced elements must be expected in Paris within 24-48 hours. State of the city's defences not known
extract Signs of heavy attack east of Rheims. Situation west of Rouen very obscure. Position of remains of 51st division critical
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Stephen King
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
place Greece
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Malta
place Eritrea
place Libya
 

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: Dangerous "thrust towards Verdun" by Germans. "If successful, would turn the Maginot Line"
extract PM: If France refuse terms Hitler's only course to "smash this island". Then America in the war "within a fortnight"
extract Halifax: France must be made to see that Armistice "a slippery slope" to loss of their fleet and eventually their liberty
extract PM Reynaud to appeal for "maximum help" short of an expeditionary force from US. France to "hold on" for US response
extract Statement by US President "much heartened" French government. Churchill: "As near as possible to a declaration of war"
extract Churchill: PM Reynaud asked that France be released from agreement not to make a separate peace with Germany
extract Telegram from Roosevelt to PM Reynaud: US "doing everything in its power" to make war material available to Allies
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Adolf Hitler
person Winston Churchill
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agree not to bomb Vatican but tell Papal Nuncio safety of rest of Rome depends on Italy observing "rules of war"
extract Roosevelt will not publish his message of support to France. PM: US holding back will have "disastrous effect" on French
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Vatican City
place Turkey
place Sicily
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Rome
organisation KEF
 

Meeting minutes

extract Churchill, Attlee and Sinclair to meet PM Reynaud at "earliest possible moment" to discuss Union and "related questions"
extract PM Reynaud believes he can "hold the position" if UK accepts proposed unity proclamation. War Cabinet approves Union plan
extract French wireless reporting that Council of Ministers will meet at 1700 BST to decide whether further resistance possible
extract Union to "concentrate the whole of its strength" against the enemy no matter where battle may be. "Thus we shall conquer"
extract Halifax presents plan for Anglo-French union drafted with French: joint citizenship, single currency, new constitution
extract PM: General de Gaulle has made clear "some very dramatic move" essential for PM Reynaud to keep France in the war
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Winston Churchill
person Paul Reynaud
place Halifax Peninsula
organisation British Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract Belgian PM and 50 staff flown into London from Nantes. 1000 Canadian troops arriving for defence of Iceland today
extract Eden: Report from Information Minister on UK public opinion "not very encouraging". PM to broadcast speech on 18th
extract South African PM calls for UK occupation of Irish ports ahead of Germany. Chamberlain: UK should "insist" on IRA roundup
extract PM Reynaud offers meeting in France this afternoon. Churchill declines, UK sending assent for France to ask for terms
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Winston Churchill
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Neville Chamberlain
person Paul Reynaud
place South Africa
place Halifax Peninsula
place Iceland
place London, Ontario
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet told French have ceased fire. Petain has broadcast that “with a broken heart” he requested Armistice last night
extract General Dill: UK must "take a leaf out of the Germans book", organise special squadrons of Storm Troopers. Cabinet agrees
extract Anthony Eden warns local defence volunteers "largely a broomstick army". Shortage of good officers in home defence forces
extract Halifax: “No information” on Soviet plan in Baltic. Clear extension of influence in Lithuania, similar designs on Estonia
extract Belgian Foreign Minister requests facilities for evacuation of 30-35,000 Belgian troops to UK. PM: We will “do our best”
extract Cabinet directs telegram permitting French to negotiate Armistice only in exchange for their fleet be resent to M. Petain
extract RAF ordered to evacuate from south of France. BEF now evacuating via Nantes and Cherbourg. 50,000 troops currently remain
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Ronnie Campbell
person Farouk of Egypt
place Great Britain
place Russian Empire
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place West Germany
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation German Army
organisation British Army
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation House of Lords
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet Secretary: Cabinet members “consulted again individually” on de Gaulle broadcast. Now agree should be allowed
extract Cabinet adopts plan by Lord Halifax for return of Emperor to Abyssinia. UK to foment anti-Italian action in the country
extract Cabinet agrees de Gaulle should not broadcast as long it remains possible French government may act in Allied interests
extract General de Gaulle has submitted text of broadcast saying France not defeated and inviting French soldiers to rally to him
extract Stafford Cripps in Moscow warns he sees "no prospect of drawing the Soviet Union into a common front against Germany"
extract Navy Vice Chief: SS Lancastria sunk in Loire yesterday with 3,000 troops on board. Not yet possible to assess casualties
extract Evacuation continuing from Cherbourg, St Nazaire, St Malo, Brest. 42,502 personnel returned to UK
extract Chief of Air Staff has despatched aircraft to Bordeaux after Polish reports General Sikorski somewhere in France
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Walter Hines Page
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
place East Germany
place Halifax Peninsula
place Moscow
place Narvik
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Kenya
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Monday 1st July 1940

Meeting minutes

extract War Cabinet approves despatch of troops from India to Iraq. Colonial Secretary: Early introduction of force "essential"
extract PM: Growth in scheme to evacuate children abroad "defeatist", must be "sternly discouraged". Entry to scheme to be closed
extract General Dill: De Gaulle has been addressing French troops in UK. 1,900 volunteers have been assembled at White City
extract Admiralty reports ten Italian submarines have been sunk in three weeks since Italy joined war
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Clive Anderson
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
person Leo Amery
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madagascar
place Iraq
place Hong Kong
place British Cameroons
place North America
place Nigeria
place Syria
place Burma
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Meeting minutes

extract French vessels in Algerian ports to be told to either sail to UK or French Caribbean territories or prepare to be sunk
extract SS Arandora Star carrying "enemy internees" torpedoed and sunk. PM: Germans may blame UK, retaliate against British POWs
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Charles de Gaulle
person Samuel Hoare
person Robert Vansittart, 1st Baron Vansittart
place Guernsey
place Halifax Peninsula
place Syria
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Fighter Command
organisation French Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract Directive from PM on morale to Civil Service. Must "set an example", report those spreading "alarm and despondency"
extract Cabinet rejects request by Chiefs of Staff for east coast evacuation. "Public opinion already somewhat jumpy"
extract Cabinet agrees UK air raid casualty figures will no longer be released. Gives enemy information, might demoralise country
person Alexander Cadogan
person Andrew Greenwood
person Stafford Cripps
person Joseph Stalin
person Malcolm MacDonald
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place Halifax Peninsula
place South Wales
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation British Army
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax informs Cabinet President Roosevelt has agreed to joint Anglo-American "technical naval discussions" in London
extract Minister of Labour admits that over 75,000 women registered for war work in London alone have no jobs available for them
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Samuel Hoare
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Portugal
place Halifax Peninsula
place North America
place Tokyo
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract "Energetic protest" from French Embassy over UK naval action. Warns situation so grave "impossible to foretell" response
extract PM to send personal telegram to President Roosevelt making "further strong appeal" for US to supply destroyers to Britain
extract Dominions Secretary informs Cabinet that Eire government will "turn a blind eye" to UK ships in Irish territorial waters
extract Lord Halifax registers "disfavour" at Cabinet's view that Burma Road should be closed. Believes Japanese position "bluff"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Stafford Cripps
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Great Britain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place Gibraltar
place Republic of China
place Burma
organisation Home Office
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet told French cruiser accidentally sunk without warning yesterday. UK to apologise and restate warning policy
extract Cabinet agrees to pause overseas evacuation of UK children. Vessels cannot be escorted and so are at too great a risk
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Samuel Hoare
person Richard Kiel
person Clement Attlee
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Great Britain
place Hamburg
place Halifax Peninsula
place North America
place Gibraltar
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Portsmouth
organisation Home Office
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation Government of Canada
 

Meeting minutes

extract French Charge d'Affaires lodges formal protest against “irregular and unnecessary” segregation of French missions to UK
extract Cabinet approves Home Security plan to modify UK air raid warning system to carry on factory production during air attack
extract Air Secretary: Germans may be using captured Hurricanes from Belgium and France in air attacks on UK
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Robert Vansittart, 1st Baron Vansittart
place Halifax Peninsula
place Gibraltar
place Morocco
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Fighter Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Attlee warns of "disquiet" in House of Commons over conditions in UK internment camps. Cabinet asks him investigate
extract Cabinet concerned at likely fall of Japanese government. May be replaced by anti-British regime "who might declare war"
extract Halifax: Signs France will not "close down" relations with UK entirely. Proposes UK Consul at Vichy. Cabinet accepts
extract Admiralty to tell France UK will "take no further action" against French ships in French Colonial or North African ports
extract General Dill: "No doubt" Germans assembling force in Norway. "Might" be for raid on Scotland, Shetland, Orkney or Faroes
extract Air Chief: “Harassing raids” on south and west coast ports yesterday. (Docks, shipping). Casualties “greater than usual”
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Jean Bart
person Robert Vansittart, 1st Baron Vansittart
place Halifax Peninsula
place Eyre Peninsula
place Turkey
place Malta
place Gibraltar
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Secretary requests leave for the Army be resumed "on a limited scale". Stoppage having "bad effect". Cabinet approves
extract Air Chief: Overnight enemy action slight. Minelaying in Thames Estuary, Harwich areas, attacks on Bristol, Kent, Suffolk
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Clement Attlee
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Guernsey
place Halifax Peninsula
place Malta
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Kenya
place Bristol
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Japan situation does "not look very favourable". Rejects call for deal to be made before new government in place
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Clement Attlee
person Neville Chamberlain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet moves control of camps from War to Home Office. Internees "actively hostile" to fascist regimes to be released
extract Chamberlain tells Cabinet he is "disturbed greatly" by a "large number of complaints" over internment conditions
extract Food Ministry to add vitamins to white bread for public health. Public will not "eat brown bread if they could get white"
extract 11,000 French sailors at Aintree "becoming very restive". War Cabinet approves immediate repatriation in French ships
extract Air Chief reports little activity due to weather conditions. German losses in last two days amount to two "possibles"
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Neville Chamberlain
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Clement Attlee proposes "Youth Force" for young men below the age for military service. Cabinet orders detailed scheme
extract Halifax: UK may be "held up to the execration of the World" for operating a blockade preventing food imports to Europe
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Clement Attlee
place Halifax Peninsula
place Europe
place South America
place Morocco
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet rejects plan to transfer British fascists to St. Helena. To be kept in UK "under suitable conditions"
extract Cabinet divided over a response to the recent speech by Herr Hitler. PM Churchill to consult more widely
extract Halifax warns of impact of possible US oil embargo on UK stocks, Japan may be "stung" into seizing Dutch East Indies
extract First Sea Lord: Enemy air attacks on Malta continuing, three raids yesterday. "Only slight damage"
extract Air Chief: Enemy air activity concentrated against Channel shipping and Straits of Dover. "A few isolated raids" inland
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Hugh Dalton
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Adolf Hitler
person Clement Attlee
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Farouk of Egypt
place Hamburg
place Portugal
place Trondheim
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madrid
place Sicily
place Malta
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet alters India Secretary's statement. No question of India achieving status of Canada or Australia for 40 years
extract PM Churchill accuses India Secretary of negotiating future Indian government with Viceroy without full Cabinet approval
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Clement Attlee
person Leo Amery
place Halifax Peninsula
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Advanced Micro Devices
organisation Indian National Congress
organisation Commonwealth of Nations
organisation United States Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract Despite "some risk" Cabinet agrees to supply arms and equipment to Eire to protect the country against German invasion
extract France refusing to resume diplomatic contact with UK without "unacceptable" conditions being met. Halifax to consider
extract Overnight air attack on Dover shipping "most serious attack yet experienced". 5 UK vessels sunk, 26 enemy aircraft downed
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Stafford Cripps
person Clement Attlee
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Halifax Peninsula
place Moscow
place Turkey
place Europe
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Tuesday 10th September 1940

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill tells Air Secretary Sinclair that his decision to reject indiscriminate bombing "may stand for the present"
extract Air Secretary tells PM that he will not issue new orders to RAF because UK policy is to attack "only military objectives"
extract Homeless in East End of London to be transferred to districts further west. Cabinet approves relief fund by Lord Mayor
extract First Sea Lord: Destroyers sweeping French coast to find small craft bound for UK. Report of force off Ostend "incorrect"
extract Air Chief: London attacks "quite indiscriminate". Cabinet agree RAF to unload bombs whether or not their target located
extract Air Chief: UK air casualties in last 24 hours 20 (15 pilots safe). Enemy: 52 destroyed, 11 more probable, 13 damaged
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Ernest Brown
person Neville Chamberlain
place Halifax Peninsula
place Berlin
place Kenya
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Air Secretary to consider reprisals against one of 20 named German towns if indiscriminate attacks on London continue
extract Air Chief: Overnight raids on Germany "on the whole successful". Potsdam Station (Berlin) attacked, 6 direct hits claimed
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Maxime Weygand
person Clement Attlee
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Berlin
place Kenya
place Morocco
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco.

extract Halifax warns of likely German "diversion" against Egypt or Iberian Peninsula. "Great pressure will be placed on Spain"
person Charles de Gaulle
person Francisco Franco
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
place Portugal
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madrid
place Turkey
place Paris
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Morocco
place Syria
place Africa
place Madrid, New York
organisation German Army
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

Friday 4th October 1940

Meeting minutes

extract PM orders ships to be diverted from anti-invasion duties to convoy escort. Winter weather renders invasion "not likely"
extract Air Chief: Only serious damage to De Havilland aircraft factory. All our own operations cancelled due to poor visibility
extract Air Chief: Enemy activity "on a much reduced scale" in past 24 hours, 80 aircraft during the day, 60 overnight
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Great Britain
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Madrid, New York
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill: "Intolerable that any newspaper should indulge in criticism and abuse...in a time of great national peril"
extract PM complains of "dangerous and sinister" Press criticism. Accuses HG Wells and Editors of advocating a "surrender peace"
extract PM argues with Halifax over "appeasement of Vichy". UK should "retaliate by bombarding Casablanca" if Gibraltar attacked
extract Halifax: Reports Herr Ribbentrop's Rome visit had "object of keeping Italy in the war". Our bombing having "great effect"
extract USA has inquired about use of Singapore "in the event of trouble in the Far East". PM: Japan has made "great" mistake
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Joachim von Ribbentrop
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madrid
place Tangier
place Singapore
place Gibraltar
place Morocco
place Rome
place Libya
organisation Daily Mirror
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Report Germans "sending train-loads of gas" to Belgium. PM unhappy with UK gas preparations. Attlee to enquire
extract Halifax: UK Ambassador Tokyo has informed Japanese that the Burma Road will reopen. Interview "passed off satisfactorily"
extract Halifax: UK Minister in Bucharest preparing to leave. "No doubt that British subjects being ill-treated in Roumania"
extract First Sea Lord: 5 more US Destroyers received and first 50,000 of 250,000 US rifles delivered. More "on their way"
extract First Sea Lord: Reports of "arrival of certain of General de Gaulle's forces" at ports in French Equatorial Africa
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Herbert Morrison
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Singapore
place London, Ontario
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation Daily Mirror
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Report invasion of UK postponed to Spring 1941. PM: "Premature to dismiss possibility of an attempt being made"
extract Air Chief: Enemy activity "rather heavier than usual" overnight. St. Paul's Cathedral hit, choir and altar badly damaged
extract Cabinet postpones Jewish recruiting campaign until US Presidential Election. Halifax: "No question" of abandoning scheme
extract Cabinet told Coventry aircraft factory strike now in 3rd week. Public feeling "said to be running high against strikers"
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
place East Germany
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Libreville
place Washington
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation British Army
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Anderson: One-eighth of consumers in London cut off from domestic gas supplies. Position has been "static for some days"
extract Minister of Labour: Baking industry offering "time and a half" during air raid warnings. Will end "dangerous precedent"
extract Halifax: Washington opposed to "anything like a conference" in US, London or Singapore. Cooperation to remain technical
extract Admiralty: "Great improvement" in shipping losses last week but enemy sowing "very large quantities" of mines around UK
extract Air Chief: Main concentration of overnight bombing again on London. Liverpool also received "considerable attention"
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Stafford Cripps
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Samuel Hoare
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Iceland
place Singapore
place Sudan
place Washington
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill: We are "straining every nerve" to counter night bombing. "The people of this country must stick it out."
extract Cabinet concerned civilians in London beginning to wonder if UK "hitting back hard enough at Germany" in bombing attacks
extract PM blocks moving more ships to protect NW Approaches. Intelligence German plans for invasion "still moving forward"
extract Admiralty: Sweep by HMS Ajax has sunk 3 Italian destroyers. Italian claims to have damaged one of our cruisers untrue
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Andrew Duncan
place Russian Empire
place East Germany
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Moscow
place Turkey
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Northern Ireland
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK Ambassador Washington: "Almost miraculous change of opinion" in US now it is clear UK effectively resisting air attack
extract Halifax: Prospect of trade agreement with USSR "promising". Marshal Chiang Kai-shek also desires "closer co-operation"
extract Home Secretary: 370 casualties in London last night, damage to railways. Londoners "at the moment a little pessimistic"
extract Admiralty "certain" Germans using radio detection to locate convoys. "Taking all steps possible" to deal with situation
extract Admiralty: Shipping losses over weekend "the worst ever experienced". Germans using new tactics, attacking at night
extract Air Chief: Pilot detailed to attack Berlin overnight came down to 2,000ft and dropped four 500lb bombs on the Chancellery
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Francisco Franco
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person Chiang Kai-shek
person Andrew Duncan
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Gibraltar
place Africa
place Republic of China
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: If new measures not successful "necessary to raise again" question of the use of certain bases in Irish Free State
extract PM Churchill: Shipping losses of last few days "without precedent", 100,000 tons sunk. "Certain measures decided upon"
extract PM authorises strengthening Whitehall buildings to resist bombardment. Move to new steel framed buildings where possible
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: "No confirmation" of this morning's Press report UK inflicted 400 losses on Italian forces in the Sudan
extract Air Chief: Enemy activity yesterday "on a reduced scale". Attacks mostly from Norway where weather conditions were better
extract Cabinet directs War Secretary to decline invitation to Iraq on security grounds. Foreign Office will blame lack of time
extract PM proposes new Supreme War Council including Dominions, Free France, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Poland and Czechoslovakia
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Maxime Weygand
person Kingsley Wood
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Iraq
place Madrid
place Sudan
place Khartoum
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Czechoslovakia
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation Government of Canada
 

Meeting minutes

extract President Roosevelt has issued protest "in strongest terms" against France permitting Germany to use its Fleet against UK
extract King George telegrams Petain over French fleet: "Confident you will reject proposal that would bring dishonour to France"
extract General Dill: "No confirmation" received of the rumours of an impending Italian attack on Greece
extract Home Secretary: "Considerable damage" to Birmingham. Both railway stations, Town Hall hit. Damage in London negligible
extract PM welcomes Air Marshall Portal as new Chief of the Air Staff. Birmingham "heavily attacked" overnight
extract Halifax: French considering handover of fleet and bases to Germany. King George to issue urgent appeal to Marshall Petain
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Maxime Weygand
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Sudan
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet rejects New Zealand request for air support. UK will supply up-to-date aircraft as soon as it can manage to do so
extract PM: Neither UK "nor the Americans" have received any news on talks between Germany and Vichy. Position "extraordinary"
extract Halifax: General Metaxas asks for our "immediate help" to defend Corfu by sea and Athens by air and for financial aid
extract Cabinet told of unconfirmed reports Athens bombed, 10 Italian divisions ("perhaps 200,000 men") moving into Greece
extract Admiralty: Germans have adopted acoustic mines. Experts "working day and night" to discover secret of these new mines
extract Admiralty: Enemy minelaying taking place on considerable scale in Home Waters. Most ports temporarily closed most nights
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Herbert Morrison
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
place Kassala
place Athens
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Gibraltar
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation British Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract India Secretary approves arrest of Pandit Nehru for anti-war speeches "calculated to stir up agrarian discontent"
extract Halifax: Diplomats suggest "cocksureness" of Germans disappearing. "Less power of resistance" to air attack than Britons
extract Home Secretary: Birmingham New Street Station badly damaged overnight. Bombs dropped this morning in Parliament Square
extract Cabinet told of reports German vessels in the Channel making eastwards. "Too early" to say risk of invasion has receded
extract General Dill: Tatoi aerodrome (Athens), Patras, Preveza and Corinth Canal bombed. No enemy action against Corfu as yet
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Francisco Franco
person Kingsley Wood
place Athens
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Burma
organisation Home Office
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Indian National Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Civilians around target areas "must be made to feel the weight of the war". Italians will "not stand up to bombing"
extract Air Chief: 450 enemy aircraft over UK yesterday, 200 more overnight. Attacks on London, Birmingham, Coventry, Liverpool
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Bob Kerslake
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place South Wales
place Birmingham
place Cairo
place Libreville
place Malta
place Khartoum
place Syria
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Friday 1st November 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: A fortnight since our last communication with Vichy. "Still no reply" on the status of their talks with Germany
extract UK Miltary Attaché in Athens reports "weak advances" made by Italy are being held by Greek forces
extract Air Chief: Enemy air activity over this country "on a reduced scale both by day and night." Several towns machine-gunned
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Farouk of Egypt
place Athens
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place South America
place Bulgaria
organisation Home Office
organisation KEF
 

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: "Possibility" of Italian advance into Egypt. Greece situation "still obscure". RAF will report tomorrow
extract Air Chief: Enemy air attacks "on a low scale" over weekend. A number of attacks on East Coast convoys, no casualties
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person Ernest Bevin
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Jean Bart
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place Halifax Peninsula
place Malta
place Toulon
organisation Home Office
organisation Government of Canada
organisation Daily Mirror
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK Naval Attaché Washington has seen "hypothetical" US Navy plans for entering war. Far East "second place" to Europe
extract Cabinet told Roosevelt likely to be re-elected "by a large majority". Election may turn out to be "democratic landslide"
extract General Dill: Indications Italian advance in Western Desert may be resumed. We might expect an attack about 9th November
extract Halifax to press Bulgaria for assurance she will not attack Greece, in order to release Greek troops for Albanian front
extract General Dill: Greek army now mobilised, Italian morale low. UK reinforcing Crete so Greek Division can fight on mainland
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Duff Cooper
person Samuel Hoare
person Ernest Bevin
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Europe
place Dakar
place Bulgaria
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation House of Lords
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Bombing more severe last 2 nights. "Good many casualties" at Southwark, Wandsworth, Richmond. Penzance attacked
extract Halifax: "Sharp and unhelpful" reply from M. Petain to the King's message. Nothing yet settled between Hitler and Vichy
extract PM: UK cannot tolerate shipping losses on present scale. Will ask Roosevelt to pressure Ireland to abandon neutrality
extract PM: "For the present" Crete appears in no great danger of Italian attack. Possible Australian units could replace Greeks
extract General Dill: Greeks advancing in Pindus sector (Italian morale "bad") but under "heavy pressure" in Epirus sector
extract General Dill: UK forces have captured Gallabat on Sudan/Ethiopia border and resisted Italian counterattack
extract Admiralty: Work on new German acoustic mines now allows certain counter measures. Method still in the experimental stage
extract Admiralty: "No further information" of convoy attacked by the Admiral Scheer. Surviving ships due in home waters tomorrow
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Hugh Dalton
person Adolf Hitler
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
person Chiang Kai-shek
person Jean Bart
place Greece
place Egypt
place Halifax Peninsula
place Madrid
place Sudan
place Libreville
place Malta
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet discuss death of Mr Chamberlain. PM: Loss will "be felt most deeply by all those who had worked with him"
extract Halifax "a little anxious" at Molotov visit to Berlin. May be "a face-saving device" or to discuss an anti-Turkish policy
extract Admiralty: General De Gaulle has taken Gabon capital Libreville. Vichy claims UK bombed the city and sunk vessels untrue
extract General Dill: Greeks could hold up Italians for a considerable time. "A different matter" if Germans attack on this front
extract Air Chief: 12 Italian aircraft shot down over UK today. Total enemy losses for the weekend now 47 confirmed, 31 probable
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Jean Bart
person Neville Chamberlain
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Libreville
place Malta
place Berlin
place Africa
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: Greeks advancing again towards Kalamas river. Italian troops "unenthusiastic" over move to Albanian front
extract Air Chief: 5 Italian airmen taken prisoner yesterday. Fiat bomber landed with engine still running. Fighter escort fled
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Stafford Cripps
person Stephen King
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
person Leo Amery
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Sudan
place Albania
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves package of loans and credit for China. Ministers to examine possibility of supplying "obsolete" aircraft
extract UK Diplomats report Italy did not expect Greece to resist attack. Italians "still retreating in disorder from Konitza"
extract PM: This "naval occasion" brings home importance of hitting Italy as hard as we can. "We should press this advantage"
extract Admiralty: Fleet Air Arm has carried out "very successful attack" with torpedoes and bombs on Italian fleet at Taranto
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Greece
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Valona, California
place Albania
place Bulgaria
place Burma
place Libya
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves cancelling Boxing Day Bank Holiday "for workers engaged on essential production" after talks with unions
extract Britain to urge Turkey and Yugoslavia to announce they would declare war if German troops were allowed to enter Bulgaria
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Stafford Cripps
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Turkey
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Albania
place Bulgaria
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Attorney General to consider legal action against Daily Worker newspaper for libellous cartoon of Labour Minister Bevin
extract PM: Utmost importance to build reserve of gas weapons. If enemy uses gas "we must be in a position to retaliate at once"
extract Greenwood: Damage in Birmingham "probably more serious" than Coventry but recovery in both cities "going ahead well"
extract Cabinet told an explosion has sunk the SS Patria carrying "illegal immigrants" to Palestine. 385 people unaccounted for
extract Halifax: Upshot of various reports that "probably not very much" settled at Berlin talks between Hitler and Molotov
extract General Dill: Italians landing at Durazzo, Valona to retrieve situation by extensive reinforcement. Vital to impede this
extract Admiralty reports "good progress" made in devising means for dealing with acoustic mines
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Hugh Dalton
person Herbert Morrison
person Adolf Hitler
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Wellington, Nevada
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Belgrade
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Berlin
place Valona, California
place Bristol
place Bulgaria
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation RAF Fighter Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Air Secretary to investigate Vichy claims RAF has bombed Marseilles. Lord Halifax requests "facts as quickly as possible"
extract Air Chief: RAF attacked Kiel, Wilhelmshaven overnight. One of our pilots thought he obtained a direct hit on the Tirpitz
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Richard Kiel
person Kingsley Wood
person John Dill
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Tangier
place Malta
place Africa
place Lisbon, New York
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agrees illegal immigrants rescued from wreck of SS Patria may remain in Palestine as a "special act of clemency"
extract Minister for Labour Bevin: "Content to accept the advice of the Prime Minister on this matter"
extract PM: Cartoon of Minister for Labour "no more than a vulgar insult". "Best course" not to institute libel proceedings
extract Anderson: Repairs "well in hand" in all 3 cities subjected to recent heavy air attack (Birmingham, Coventry, Bristol)
extract Morrison: Number of homeless persons in rest centres in London has "fallen from a peak of about 24,000 to about 6,000"
extract Air Secretary to investigate statements in telegrams from abroad that UK bombs are "too small or did not explode"
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place Bristol
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Churchill: If Eire had been willing to come into the war "public opinion might well have brought about a united Ireland"
extract PM De Valera remains "totally unreceptive" to UK use of Irish ports, thinks US entry to the war would make no difference
extract Air and Information Ministers to meet newspaper editors over reports of bombing which convey information to the enemy
extract General Dill: Greeks making further advances in Northern and Pindus sectors, meeting with more resistance in the Epirus
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Samuel Hoare
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
place Plymouth
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Albania
place Bristol
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
 

Monday 2nd December 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet rejects plea from General Wavell to deport SS Patria survivors from Palestine. Decision to admit them will stand
extract PM: It might be that the President is waiting "for the election atmosphere to disperse before taking any striking action"
extract PM Churchill: "Rather chilled" by attitude of the United States since the Election
extract Morrison: Fire situation in Southampton remains "serious" but Fire Brigade have "stood up very well to their ordeal"
extract General Dill: Greek forces between 10 and 25 miles into Albanian territory. Thought they will attempt to advance further
extract Admiralty: German Destroyers proving "faster than ours". Measures being considered to give ours "an extra turn of speed"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Oliver Lyttelton, 1st Viscount Chandos
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Malcolm MacDonald
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
person Clement Attlee
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Africa
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Diplomats in Washington and Geneva receiving reports of "growing restiveness and discontent in Italy"
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Halifax Peninsula
place Birmingham
place North America
place Sicily
place Valona, California
place Bristol
place Madrid, New York
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation RAF Fighter Command