Africa

Continent

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² (11.7 million sq mi) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area. With 1.0 billion people (as of 2009, see table) in 61 territories, it accounts for about 14.72% of the ...

Read more at Wikipedia

Documents about Africa

Sunday 28th January 1940

Negotiations with Italy.

extract Eden warns favourable trading conditions offered to Italy in pursuit of a settlement may alienate Dominion governments
person Anthony Eden
place Turkey
place Africa
 

Wednesday 21st February 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Australian, NZ forces arrive Middle East. Finnish Minister states "no danger of collapse for a number of weeks at least"
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Kingsley Wood
place Newcastle upon Tyne
place Finland
place Egypt
place Malta
place Africa
organisation KEF
 

Saturday 25th May 1940

British strategy in a certain eventuality.

extract Without “full economic and financial support” from USA. Chiefs of Staff cannot see “any chance of success” in war effort
extract Chiefs of Staff circulate UK strategy for next phase of conflict. Paper assumes defeat of France, failure to evacuate BEF
place Portugal
place Russian Empire
place Egypt
place Iraq
place Eyre Peninsula
place Singapore
place Turkey
place Malta
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Alexandria
place Africa
place Libya
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation Scapa
organisation United States Army
 

Saturday 15th June 1940

Plans to meet a certain eventuality: French Colonial Empire and Mandated Territories.

extract Chiefs of Staff circulate suggested strategies to encourage French overseas territories to continue assistance to Britain
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Freetown
place Aruba
place New Caledonia
place Somaliland
place Madagascar
place Iraq
place Caribbean
place Singapore
place Turkey
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Beirut
place Morocco
place Syria
place Africa
place Newfoundland, Kentucky
place Burma
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation United States Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Must avoid "putting undue pressure" on loyal province of Ulster. In favour of allowing Germany first move in Eire
extract Chamberlain urges offering Eire government declaration favouring a United Ireland in exchange for ports, hosting UK force
extract Halifax: Japan threat yesterday "should not be taken too seriously". Japan may be trouble "later on but not immediately"
extract Withdrawal of French government "complicated" by refusal of President Lebrun to leave. German forces rapidly approaching
extract M. Petain: Unlikely France will agree to give Destroyers to UK. But will "never allow them to fall into German hands"
extract Air Chief: UK bomb raids "hitting Germany considerably harder" than their raids hitting us. Good night for Bomber Command
extract Air Chief reports raids on industrial targets across UK overnight including ammunition stores. Casualties "very slight"
extract General Dill: Germans continuing to advance towards Lyons and western French ports. 111,478 troops so far evacuated to UK
person Walter Hines Page
person James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Great Britain
place Egypt
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Africa
place Dublin
place Northern Ireland
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation British Army
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Home Office report enemy aliens being locked up as fast as facilities can be provided. Reliable aliens being "combed out"
extract PM concerned at rise in number of children for evacuation overseas. Information Minister to stress transport limits
extract French government's move to Perpignan for evacuation to N. Africa cancelled. Position on Fleet may have changed for worse
extract Military evacuation of Channel Islands complete. Evacuation of residents wishing to leave will be finished later today
extract British evacuation from France now complete (144,180 returned to UK). Some Polish troops still awaiting embarkation
person Walter Hines Page
place Great Britain
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Liverpool
place Malta
place Nigeria
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Government of Canada
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Meeting minutes

extract Chamberlain: We must keep the ships. Sweden knows that she cannot bully Germany "but might succeed in bullying us"
extract Halifax: Sweden taken "gravest possible view" of UK seizure of Destroyers. Germany may offer "protection" against us
extract Lord Halifax informs Cabinet that British Ambassador and his staff will leave France today for the UK on HMS Galatea
extract HMS Dunedin to intercept French vessel en route to Martinique to seize cargo of £60m in gold.
extract First Sea Lord: Mutiny by Germans being transported to Canada aboard SS Duchess of York. Further rising on vessel feared
extract PM urges War Office "push forward" with creation of a Foreign Legion. General Pownall says action already being taken
extract General Pownall reports 10000 Czech and Pole troops, 8000 French heading to coast for UK. HMS Keppel to arrange transport
person Charles de Gaulle
person Walter Hines Page
person Ronnie Campbell
person Neville Chamberlain
place Hamburg
place Malta
place Europe
place Algeria
place Africa
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Meeting minutes

extract Report former French Cabinet now in Rabat. Information Minister to fly to Morocco to convince group to form government
person Charles de Gaulle
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Algeria
place Morocco
place Syria
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Immediate measures required in the Far East.

extract Chiefs of Staff produce plan on strengthening Far East defences but admit "we cannot spare a fleet for the Far East"
person Robert German
person John Dill
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Russian Empire
place Hong Kong
place Singapore
place Thailand
place Africa
place Republic of China
place Iran
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract Admiralty suggests action against French oil stocks. Cabinet rejects as "act of war" with talks in N. Africa continuing
extract Pole, Czech troops arriving "in large numbers" in UK. Polish troops "good quality", Czechs must "be carefully sorted out"
extract 50-70 aircraft over UK last night. Bombing Midlands, East Anglia, Bristol targetting aerodromes and aero-engine factories
extract General Wavell reports on first 10 days fighting Italy in Middle East. Halifax: "Superiority of our troops" clear
extract Cabinet approves formation of Economic Mission to United States. Seeks permission to buy armaments on credit
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Walter Hines Page
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place East Anglia
place Africa
place Bristol
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Situation in Algeria and French Morocco.

extract Chiefs of Staff to examine proposal from Information Minister Duff Cooper for an invasion of French Morocco
person Duff Cooper
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Gibraltar
place Algeria
place Morocco
place Africa
 

Meeting minutes

extract Royal Navy to transport an estimated 20,000 men back to France from tonight
extract PM: Desirable to remove from UK as soon as possible all French troops not volunteering "to remain and carry on the fight"
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Walter Hines Page
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place South Africa
place New York, Lincolnshire
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Malta
place Algeria
place Morocco
place Africa
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Royal Marines
 

Thursday 11th July 1940

French Equatorial and West Africa.

extract Colonial Secretary: French Cameroons will continue to support Allies. Requesting same talks with other French possessions
place British Cameroons
place Dakar
place Nigeria
place Africa
place Chad
 

Meeting minutes

extract Newspapers are reporting French government is to move to German occupied territory at Paris or Versailles
extract PM rejects draft statement on India's future. Must declare "no avoidable delay" in making India a self-governing country
extract Cabinet approves widening membership of Viceroy's executive council in India to include "representative Indians"
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Leo Amery
place Great Britain
place Ankara
place Turkey
place Paris
place Europe
place Africa
place Burma
organisation Home Office
organisation Indian National Congress
organisation United States Congress
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK monitoring Belgian and Polish gold stocks transferred to Senegal. Plan to move former to S. Africa with Congo as cover
place South Africa
place Dakar
place Africa
organisation New Zealand Treasury
 

Naval measures proposed to effect Contraband Control of the West Coast of Europe and North West Africa.

extract Despite "considerable difficulties" Admiralty widening naval blockade to entire western seaboard of Europe and NW Africa
place Portugal
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place London, Ontario
place Africa
organisation United States Department of State
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet waters down proposed naval blockade. PM has "grave doubts", Attorney-General says plan breaches international law
extract Dominions governments to be told their requirements for aircraft cannot be met due to "peril of invasion" facing Britain
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Clement Attlee
place South Africa
place North America
place Europe
place Kenya
place Africa
organisation United States Department of State
organisation United States Navy
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Government of Canada
 

Meeting minutes

extract Commons to debate Hitler's Reichstag speech tomorrow. Press told speech requires no "official reply from this country"
extract Cabinet agrees uninterned aliens in the UK will be liable to military service on the same conditions as British subjects
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Samuel Hoare
person Adolf Hitler
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Farouk of Egypt
place Egypt
place Morocco
place Africa
organisation British Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM suggests scheme for defection of Vichy ministers to N. Africa. Chamberlain: Better de Gaulle "raise his flag there"
person Charles de Gaulle
person Ronnie Campbell
person Neville Chamberlain
place Africa
 

Saturday 3rd August 1940

Situation in the French Colonies in West Africa.

extract Colonial Secretary recommends secret UK support for anti Vichy coup attempt in French Cameroons
person Charles de Gaulle
place British Cameroons
place Nigeria
place Africa
place Chad
 

Operation "Scipio".

extract Cabinet to discuss plan for Operation Scipio. General de Gaulle and Free French to attempt occupation of Dakar, Senegal
person Charles de Gaulle
person Edward Spears
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Nigeria
place Africa
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK to support French Cameroon anti Vichy coup. De Gaulle to form "Council of Defence" from ranking colonial supporters
extract No official reaction from Japan over UK arrests. Halifax now suggests release of a prisoner to "keep the position fluid"
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Charles de Gaulle
person Clement Attlee
place Egypt
place Basra
place British Cameroons
place Sudan
place Nigeria
place Africa
organisation Home Office
organisation United States Navy
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves Operation Scipio. De Gaulle to mobilise a force for N. Africa shortly. Force to set sail by August 23rd
extract 15m incendiaries for aborted Operation Razzle on German crops remain unused. RAF to drop on German heathland near bases
person Charles de Gaulle
place Egypt
place Nigeria
place Algeria
place Morocco
place Africa
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract King George VI: My peoples "would rather all perish in the common ruin than fall or falter in their duty"
extract Halifax circulates draft rejection by King George of offer of mediation between UK and Germany by King Gustav of Sweden
extract PM Churchill: "We could never stand by and see a British Dominion overwhelmed by a yellow race"
extract PM: Invasion of Australia "could be retrieved" by USA. "In the last resort" UK would "abandon" Mediterranean and Mid-East
extract PM: We hope "to avoid war" but it could occur "at any moment". "Opening moves" likely to be against Hong Kong, Singapore
extract Churchill outlines policy in the event of Japanese aggression: UK Fleet needed in Mediterranean "to beat the Italians"
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
person Adolf Hitler
person Winston Churchill
person Neville Chamberlain
place Great Britain
place Egypt
place Fiji
place Hong Kong
place Singapore
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Alexandria
place Africa
place Republic of China
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

The Middle East: Directive to the Commander-in-Chief.

extract PM warns General Wavell invasion of Egypt from Libya "must be expected at any time", circulates orders for Middle East
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Winston Churchill
place Great Britain
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Sudan
place Malta
place Europe
place Kenya
place Khartoum
place Alexandria
place Africa
place Libya
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet formally approves Operation Menace against French N. Africa. Risk of Vichy declaring war "not rated very highly"
place Africa
 

The Munitions Situation.

extract Supply Minister warns UK armaments industry "a very small infant compared with the giant that threatens to attack it"
person Herbert Morrison
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
place Russian Empire
place Birmingham
place North America
place Europe
place Africa
place Czechoslovakia
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation German Army
organisation British Army
organisation United States Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Looks as if whole of French Equatorial Africa and Cameroons as well as Chad territory "swinging away" from Vichy
extract PM Churchill: We can "not afford to allow any of our aerodromes to be out of action"
extract PM complains arrangements for filling aerodrome bomb craters "very inadequate". Runways must be repaired within 24 hours
extract Beaverbrook: Recent air fighting has made considerable inroads on reserves. Effect of bombing on production "not serious"
extract PM: In view of German indiscriminate bombing considering temporary "marked departure" from bombing only military targets
extract Air Chief: Bombing of Berlin targets last night "most successful". PM to send congratulatory message to Bomber Command
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Charles de Gaulle
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
place South Africa
place New Caledonia
place Bermuda
place Caribbean
place British Cameroons
place Washington
place Africa
place Newfoundland, Kentucky
place Chad
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Gabon to follow General de Gaulle in line with the rest of French Equatorial Africa. Hope for New Caledonia coup
extract Cabinet informed of attack on Scilly Isles, now in "state of considerable panic". PM: "Isles must be held at all costs"
extract Cabinet discuss shipping losses. Navy working on deep sea mining and anti-submarine research. More air support hoped for
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Andrew Greenwood
person Charles de Gaulle
place New Caledonia
place North America
place Africa
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation United States Navy
 

Monday 16th September 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agree De Gaulle force will instead disembark at Duala, Cameroon and march to Chad. British troops to return to UK
extract Chiefs of Staff: French warships appear to have fortified Dakar against General de Gaulle. PM: Situation "a fiasco"
person Charles de Gaulle
place Freetown
place British Cameroons
place Africa
place Chad
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet inclined to approve attack "if the Commanders on the spot" agree. Chamberlain: "Question of balancing the risks"
extract Cabinet meet to discuss telegram from De Gaulle arguing Operation Menace against Dakar go ahead "as originally planned"
person Alexander Cadogan
person Charles de Gaulle
person Neville Chamberlain
person Edward Spears
place Freetown
place Madrid
place Paris
place Dakar
place Africa
 

Meeting minutes

extract Operation Menace against Dakar to be delayed for 24 hours at request of General de Gaulle
person Charles de Gaulle
place Dakar
place Africa
 

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
 

Tuesday 1st October 1940

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Agree principle of talks but not "a golden opportunity". Should protect de Gaulle, "assist in any movement" he starts
extract Halifax proposes Vichy talks to secure "healthily anti-German" France. "Not vital" whether Colonies to Vichy or de Gaulle
person Charles de Gaulle
person Samuel Hoare
place Great Britain
place Madrid
place Cairo
place Libreville
place Gibraltar
place Morocco
place Africa
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Australian PM "much disturbed" over Operation Menace failure. UK approach "strongly criticised". PM Churchill to respond
extract Air Chief: Air casualties yesterday 20 (12 pilots safe). Enemy 46 (+32 probable). Good results for RAF on Ostend, Berlin
person Anthony Eden
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person Charles de Gaulle
place Alexandria Troas
place Malta
place Africa
place Libya
place Toulon
 

Meeting minutes

extract Message received from de Gaulle. Plans to disembark force at Duala, Cameroon and "get possession" of Libreville, Gabon
person Charles de Gaulle
place Egypt
place Libreville
place Nigeria
place Africa
 

The Blockade and French West Africa.

extract Economic Warfare Minister calls for tightening of blockade on Vichy. UK has drifted "into a sort of half surrender"
person Hugh Dalton
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place South America
place Africa
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
 

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
 

Relations with Vichy.

extract Vichy government assures UK it will "never be an aggressor". Halifax: "Glad to extract what we can from that"
place Morocco
place Africa
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Admiralty: UK cannot currently assemble strong fleet at Straits of Gibraltar. Again urge "tolerable agreement" with Vichy
extract Halifax opposes bombing Vichy if France attacks Gibraltar. Ambassador authorised to deliver this "threat" to deter attack
extract "Serious damage" to Treasury overnight in London bombing. "Minor scale of attack on Birmingham and Liverpool"
extract Air Chief: All overnight UK bomber missions cancelled due to adverse weather. Equipment for landings in fog being fitted
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Walter Hines Page
person Stafford Cripps
person Samuel Hoare
person Ernest Bevin
person Kingsley Wood
person Bob Kerslake
person Archibald Sinclair, 1st Viscount Thurso
person Robert Craigie (diplomat)
place Newcastle upon Tyne
place Cranborne
place Hong Kong
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Africa
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation ING Group
 

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 Cabinet defers decision on de Gaulle attack on Libreville. Loss of time preferable to "another unsuccessful venture"
person Charles de Gaulle
person Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
place Libreville
place Africa
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: "Pessimistic" over Greek resistance. "Not particularly sanguine" about USSR. Spain "another source of anxiety"
extract Halifax meets junior ministers. M. Petain wants "to be friendly with us" but UK has made "many mistakes of psychology"
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
person Francisco Franco
person Maxime Weygand
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Athens
place Greece
place Egypt
place Turkey
place Washington
place Africa
place Bulgaria
place Republic of China
place Rome
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Tuesday 5th November 1940

Overseas Air Communications.

extract Air Minister asks for resources to improve Empire communications links. "Reasonably quick air-mail" will boost morale
place Athens
place Egypt
place Iraq
place Hong Kong
place Cairo
place North America
place Europe
place South America
place Khartoum
place Africa
place Lisbon, New York
place Burma
place Rome
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation Minister of Economic Warfare
organisation United States Army
 

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 War Secretary reports on his N.Africa visit. Position "far more favourable than seemed possible a few months previously"
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
place Kassala
place Greece
place Egypt
place Alexandria Troas
place Cairo
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Kenya
place Syria
place Africa
place Libya
place Tripoli
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Death of Egypt's PM throws politics there "into the melting-pot". UK Ambassador hopes to find replacement
extract General Dill: Greeks have begun large scale counterattack advancing in a number of sectors. Many Italian prisoners taken
extract Admiral: Shipping Ministry must stop persistent tendency of convoy ships to straggle. Stragglers vulnerable to air attack
extract Anderson: Raid "heaviest yet experienced". Full details not yet available. Reinforcements of Police, firemen sent to city
extract Air Chief: 300 enemy bombers in Coventry attack. RAF targetted aerodromes to lessen assault with "fairly good results"
person Stephen King
person Bob Kerslake
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Jean Bart
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Sudan
place Valona, California
place Albania
place Africa
place Chad
place Burma
 

Reports for the Month of October 1940 for India, Burma and the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.

extract India Secretary: New outbreak of civil disobedience in Hyderabad State. "Not clear" what Gandhi's next intention might be
person Charles de Gaulle
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
place South Africa
place Great Britain
place Greece
place Somaliland
place Russian Empire
place Egypt
place Hong Kong
place Caribbean
place Singapore
place Jamaica
place Gibraltar
place Cyprus
place Syria
place Africa
place Burma
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Indian National Congress
organisation Congress Working Committee
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Information on Birmingham attack "rather scanty" but though bad, seemingly not so serious as that on Coventry
extract PM Churchill: We are not in a position to increase our air reinforcements
extract General Dill: Greeks holding position. Advance into Albania "hardly practicable" until enemy air attacks countered
extract PM to make further appeal to Roosevelt to ask whether USA could spare more destroyers to counter this "additional strain"
extract Admiralty: U-Boat activity has extended to West Africa coast, a "new and important area". 4 vessels sunk in last few days
extract Air Chief: 400 enemy aircraft over UK overnight. Attacks on London, Birmingham ("considerable damage") Midlands, E.Anglia
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Herbert Morrison
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Freetown
place Greece
place East Anglia
place Berlin
place Albania
place Africa
place Bulgaria
place West Germany
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Home Fleet
 

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
 

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
 

Draft letter from Prime Minister to President Roosevelt.

extract PM to cable Roosevelt on year ahead: "Unless we can establish our ability to feed this Island...we may fall by the way"
person Adolf Hitler
person Winston Churchill
place Great Britain
place Singapore
place Turkey
place North America
place Europe
place Africa
place Northern Ireland
place West Germany
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation United States Navy
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Commonwealth of Nations
organisation French Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Hitler's next move "a matter of speculation". "Most menacing outlook" in Spain. Germans may move to occupy N. Africa
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Adolf Hitler
place Africa
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract Morrison: Production restored in Sheffield shortly. Civic authorities have stood the strain well, public morale excellent
extract General Dill: Heavy snow in Albania but Greeks making some small advances. War Office considering sending warm clothing
extract General Dill: Position in Bardia "developing slowly and favourably". 800 prisoners taken at Sidi Omar and more to come
extract Air Chief: Recent air fighting in Libya "extremely satisfactory". UK losses 10, enemy 77 certain and 25 probable
extract Air Chief: "Excellent results" from 3 nights of attacks on Mannheim. 100 tons of explosives, 14,000 incendiaries dropped
extract Halifax: Swiss have issued "very strong" protest over bombing of Basle. Claim clear visibility means "no possible excuse"
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
place Greece
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Albania
place Africa
place Burma
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Contacts with the Vichy Government.

extract Halifax: To go beyond this may be difficult for Vichy. They must be careful "to avoid rousing German suspicions"
extract Halifax: We have received written assurances from Vichy that France will retain her fleet and Empire and not attack UK
person Charles de Gaulle
person Samuel Hoare
person Maxime Weygand
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
place Greece
place Egypt
place Tangier
place Libreville
place Gibraltar
place London, Ontario
place Morocco
place Africa
place Madrid, New York
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill formally tells Cabinet Lord Halifax is to step down as Foreign Secretary to become UK Ambassador Washington
extract Halifax: Swiss have asked their airspace not be "violated" on Christmas night. Hope it will be possible - for goodwill
extract Air Chief: After enquiries "strongly of the opinion" bombing of Basle "not done by our machines". Halifax to inform Swiss
extract General Dill: 37,000 prisoners now captured in Libya. Greek advance of 4km, 3 Italian bombers downed by small arms fire
person Charles de Gaulle
person John Maffey, 1st Baron Rugby
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person Winston Churchill
place Freetown
place Greece
place Egypt
place Manchester
place Cranborne
place Liverpool
place Africa
place Dublin
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Monday 13th January 1941

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves compulsory civil defence service of up to 48 hours a month for "men and women (subject to age limits)"
extract PM has met with personal envoy of President Roosevelt (Mr Harry Hopkins). "Very favourably impressed with his attitude"
extract General Wavell reports preparations for attack on Tobruk "proceeding satisfactorily". Garrison estimated at 15-20,000
extract Air Chief: Italian aircraft losses in Egypt last month 207 (ours 17). Losses in Greece 47 (ours 23), Malta 50 (ours 4)
extract Air Chief: Raid on Venice last night "very successful". Oil refinery received a direct hit from a 1,000 lb. bomb
person Alexander Cadogan
person Andrew Greenwood
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
place Greece
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Cranborne
place Malta
place Ethiopia
place Eritrea
place Africa
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Morning Star (UK newspaper)
organisation United States Congress
 

Weekly Resume (No. 73) of the Naval, Military and Air Situation from 12 noon January 16th, to 12 noon January 23rd 1941.

extract Chiefs of Staff: Over 14,000 prisoners taken so far at Tobruk and about 200 guns. "Our casualties were under 500"
person Richard Kiel
place Great Britain
place Freetown
place Somaliland
place Alexandria Troas
place Narvik
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Tobruk
place Albania
place Africa
place Libya
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation Scapa
organisation RAF Fighter Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Eden urges Yugoslavia and Turkey to make clear they would regard any German infiltration of Bulgaria as an open invasion
extract Weather on Continent makes invasion unlikely in next few weeks. War Secretary to consider extended leave for Home Forces
extract Information Minister to publicise an Italian cavalry charge on Sudan Front. Cavalry charged our gun position, losing 25
extract General Dill: Italian retreat continuing on Kassala front but Italians fighting better than in Libya
extract PM to send "private congratulatory telegram to General Wavell" on Tobruk capture. Number of prisoners taken not yet known
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Clement Attlee
place Kassala
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Turkey
place Sudan
place Ethiopia
place Africa
place Bulgaria
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Libya
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet agrees "some easement" of ban on Press and broadcast publicity of anti-gas measures
extract PM: President hopes "Lease-Lend" Bill will be passed into law "towards the end of February"
extract PM Churchill: President Roosevelt has requested a cable of "a list of our most immediate demands" for the next few months
extract Eden: Warning Belgian King "might make a deal" with Germany. Private messages should be sent "to stiffen his attitude"
extract PM: "White population in Abyssinia" might be "in great danger" if anti-Italian revolt spreads. Eden to watch situation
extract General Dill: In Eritrea our forces are closing in on positions round Agordat and Barentu. Over 1,100 prisoners captured
extract General Dill: In Libya, the enemy force at Mechili "stronger than anticipated" but plans are in hand for dealing with it
extract Air Chief: Evidence 20% of German air strength moved from aerodromes facing UK to other theatres or to German interior
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
person John Dill
person Andrew Duncan
place Cranborne
place Eyre Peninsula
place Eritrea
place Africa
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
organisation Royal Navy
 

The Imports Situation.

extract PM to President Roosevelt: If sinkings continue "at their present level", they will "gravely imperil our war effort"
person Winston Churchill
place Africa
 

Meeting minutes

extract Eden: Vichy's new economic proposals have "little relation to reality". UK will refuse to "make large concessions"
extract PM: Position "an anxious one and must be carefully watched". Defence Committee reviewing Eastern Mediterranean area
extract Cabinet discuss Balkans. Death of General Metaxas "a serious loss". Clear some German infiltration of Bulgaria occurring
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Samuel Hoare
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Cranborne
place Ethiopia
place Morocco
place Africa
place Bulgaria
 

Monday 3rd February 1941

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves construction of Burma-China railway if border agreed. Secretary of State to inform Burmese government
extract Eden: Resignation of Iraq government "not to be regretted". New one "not very satisfactory but might be only a stop-gap"
extract General Wavell reports enemy making "determined stand in difficult country" in Eritrea. Rapid progress "unlikely"
extract General Heywood: Greek First Corps "in good heart". Few casualties suffered from the enemy, but many from frost bite
extract Admiralty: Swordfish bombers attacked dam in Sardinia. Met heavy anti-aircraft fire, claimed 3 hits on dam with torpedoes
extract Air Chief: Enemy aircraft have dropped bombs and mines in the Suez Canal. A number of the mines have now been detonated
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
person Kingsley Wood
person Ernest Brown
person Clement Attlee
person John Dill
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Iraq
place Eritrea
place Washington
place Morocco
place Africa
place Burma
organisation Home Office
 

Administration of Occupied Enemy Territories in Africa.

extract War Secretary seeks guidance on how newly occupied territory in Africa is to be administered
person David Margesson, 1st Viscount Margesson
place Somaliland
place Eritrea
place Africa
place Libya
 

Weekly Resume (No. 76) of the Naval, Military and Air Situation from 12 noon February 6th, to 12 noon February 13th, 1941.

extract Chiefs of Staff: "Waterless and inhospitable" Sirte desert now a very good defence for remaining Italian forces in Libya
place Somaliland
place Iceland
place Liverpool
place Malta
place Kismayo
place Gibraltar
place Stockholm
place Africa
place Bulgaria
place Denmark
place Libya
place Tripoli
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cadogan: President Roosevelt had "frank talk" with Japanese Ambassador. Tension in the Far East seems to have lessened
extract General Dill: Greeks again taking offensive in Albania, apparently with success, but so far only 400 prisoners confirmed
extract General Dill: "Not yet known what success, if any" achieved in Operation Colossus before our parachutists taken prisoner
extract Air Chief: 3 lost enemy aircraft have landed or tried to land at UK aerodromes. One captured intact with crew
person Alexander Cadogan
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley
person Herbert Morrison
person Francisco Franco
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Iraq
place Turkey
place Europe
place Kismayo
place Albania
place Thailand
place Africa
place Bulgaria
place Libya
organisation Home Office
 

Administration of Occupied Enemy Territories in Africa.

extract Attlee: War Office to run occupied territories in Africa to avoid suspicion UK seeks to "incorporate them in our Empire"
place Africa
organisation United Nations
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cadogan: General Franco refused "abject appeal for help" from Signor Mussolini at their recent meeting
extract Remaining UK assets in America to be given to US government. PM: We will receive "far more than we could possibly give"
extract PM: Japan offers to mediate between Hitler and ourselves. Will make clear our war purpose is the eradication of Hitlerism
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 Herbert Morrison
person Duff Cooper
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
person Francisco Franco
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person Adolf Hitler
person Kingsley Wood
person Clement Attlee
place Cranborne
place Africa
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
 

Policy in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.

extract Chiefs of Staff outline advantages and disadvantages of sending UK forces to assist Greece as Foreign Secretary proposes
place Greece
place Egypt
place Turkey
place Africa
 

Thursday 20th March 1941

Meeting minutes

extract PM: US to send 2 food ships to Unoccupied France. These must be allowed to pass blockade, subsequent ships to be stopped
extract Cabinet Minister suggests attack on Clydebank indicates Germans targeting "centre of communism and disaffection"...
extract Morrison: Serious damage last night at Greenwich, Edmonton and Poplar gasworks. 11 local authorities without gas
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person George Cadogan, 3rd Earl Cadogan
person Herbert Morrison
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Washington
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Department of State
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
organisation International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
 

Oil Position. Monthly Report for February, 1941, submitted by the Secretary for Petroleum.

extract Petroleum Minister will end "Help your Neighbour" scheme of extra petrol for organised free lifts at the end of the month
person Geoffrey Lloyd, Baron Geoffrey-Lloyd
place South Africa
place Hong Kong
place Malta
place Kenya
place Africa
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Weekly Resume (No. 82) of the Naval, Military and Air Situation from 12 noon March 20th, to 12 noon March 27th, 1941.

extract Chiefs of Staff: Reports that Germany intends to attack USSR this summer continue to be received but are not convincing
person Richard Kiel
place Plymouth
place Aruba
place Greece
place East Germany
place Egypt
place Manchester
place Berlin, New York
place Liverpool
place Malta
place Alexandria
place Africa
place Addis Ababa
place Bulgaria
place Libya
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Meeting minutes

extract Eden to warn Italy any attempt to scuttle ships at Massawa will result in UK ceasing food shipments to Eritrea, Abyssinia
extract President Roosevelt has sent details of first allotments under Lease and Lend Act. 180 'planes, 5,500 Oerlikon guns...
extract PM: Have telegraphed congratulations to Sir Andrew Cunningham and Sir Arthur Longmore on this fortunate and timely action
extract Admiralty: 3 enemy cruisers and 2 destroyers sunk and an Italian battleship torpedoed at Matapan. Our losses two aircraft
person Stafford Cripps
person Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
place Greece
place Russian Empire
place Cranborne
place Gibraltar
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Ministry of Supply
organisation United States Navy
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Wednesday 23rd April 1941

Italian Civilians in Ethiopia.

extract War Secretary "gravely concerned" over fate of Italian civilians in Addis Ababa. Risk of a massacre when Emperor returns
person David Margesson, 1st Viscount Margesson
place Ethiopia
place Africa
place Addis Ababa
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Cabinet approves publication of "Beating the Invader" leaflet to all householders
extract Morrison: Plymouth main target for the last 3 nights. Overnight 4 oil tanks set alight. Fires not yet under control
extract Air Chief: Bombardment of Tripoli harbour "far more satisfactory" than first appeared. Several ships sunk, others damaged
extract Air Chief: Aircraft losses in last 72 hours in home and overseas theatres; Enemy 31 (+15 probable), Our Own 14
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
place Plymouth
place Fiji
place Cranborne
place Iraq
place Ethiopia
place Eritrea
place Kenya
place Tripoli, Greece
place Africa
place Addis Ababa
place Libya
place Tripoli
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Navy
 

Thursday 1st May 1941

Weekly Resume (No. 87) of the Naval, Military and Air Situation from 12 noon April 24th to 12 noon May 1st, 1941.

extract Chiefs of Staff: Iraqi Army concentrated in and around Baghdad. Evidence Raschid Ali may offer resistance to our troops
extract Chiefs of Staff: Every indication Germans see Libya as "theatre of war to which their maximum efforts should be devoted"
extract Chiefs of Staff: "No reliable indications of imminent hostilities" between Germany and USSR, relations somewhat strained
place Aruba
place Greece
place Baghdad
place Iceland
place Liverpool
place Malta
place Europe
place Tobruk
place Tunisia
place Alexandria
place Morocco
place Syria
place Africa
place Libya
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Advanced Micro Devices
 

Administration of Ethiopia.

extract War Secretary proposes UK continue to occupy Ethiopia despite Emperor's return. Admits this "may not be easy to defend"
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person David Margesson, 1st Viscount Margesson
place Ethiopia
place Africa
organisation Hopatcong High School
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Secretary directed to announce Ethiopia under temporary "military guidance". PM: No need to concern ourselves unduly
extract Minister of Information to "give guidance" to Press on Hess's "bloody" record. Coverage has been "almost laudatory"
extract PM: Rudolf Hess will be held as a prisoner of war. He is also a prisoner of State and should be kept in isolation
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
place Greece
place Cranborne
place Iraq
place Caribbean
place Ethiopia
place Africa
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation House of Commons of the United Kingdom
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

Weekly Resume (No. 90) of the Naval, Military and Air Situation from 12 noon May 15th, to 12 noon May 22nd, 1941.

extract Chiefs of Staff: Situation at Heraklion obscure. Town and harbour partly occupied by Enemy who has mounted machine guns
person Richard Kiel
person Robert German
place Newcastle upon Tyne
place Freetown
place Greece
place Somaliland
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Basra
place Europe
place Tobruk
place Berlin
place Syria
place Africa
organisation RAF Coastal Command
 

Military Policy for East Africa.

extract War Secretary sees prospect to "reduce very considerably" forces employed in Italian East Africa, as campaign nearing end
person David Margesson, 1st Viscount Margesson
place South Africa
place Somaliland
place Sudan
place Ethiopia
place Eritrea
place Africa
place Libya
 

Tuesday 17th June 1941

Measures concerning Merchant Shipping in the event of war or general hostilities with Vichy.

extract Admiralty issues instructions concerning merchant shipping in the event of war or general hostilities with Vichy France
place Hong Kong
place Africa
 

Economic Warfare. Report for May, 1941.

extract Economic Warfare Minister: Policy of economic restriction against Japan has been intensified despite Japanese complaints
person Hugh Dalton
place South America
place Africa
place Republic of China
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract President Roosevelt has informed PM he has closed US German consulates, frozen assets. Plans bases in N. Africa, Iceland
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Dakar
place Africa
 

Reports for Month of May 1941 for the Dominions, India, Burma, and the Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.

extract Dominions Secretary: Germany has expressed regret for "accidental" bombing of Dublin in May. Offered compensation
person Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook
place Greece
place Iraq
place Iceland
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Cyprus
place Syria
place Africa
place Northern Ireland
place Burma
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Labour Party (UK)
 

Wednesday 2nd July 1941

Command in the Middle East.

extract PM: General Wavell "would make an admirable Commander-in-Chief in India". Viceroy: "I shall be proud to work with him"
extract PM: General Wavell "tired", "fresh eye needed". Will be replaced by General Auchinleck as Commander in Chief Middle East
person Claude Auchinleck
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
place Egypt
place Africa
organisation British Army