Cabinet papers from June 1940

Saturday 1st June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract BEF Commander in Chief Lord Gort delivers his report on the campaign to Cabinet. PM praises his skill and determination
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
place Brussels
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation French Army
organisation Belgian Land Component
 

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
 

Sunday 2nd June 1940

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 Norwegians negotiating over UK withdrawal. Evacuation held for 24 hours. Churchill: “Decision to withdraw must stand
extract Chiefs of Staff to make recommendations on how much force can be spared for France’s defence before Cabinet decides
extract Churchill believes three divisions can be in France within 5-6 weeks. RAF bombers to attack targets selected by French
extract Cabinet discusses which forces can be sent to reinforce French on Somme front. Difficult to re-equip BEF
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Winston Churchill
place Dunkirk
place Narvik
place Paris
organisation 335th Fighter Squadron
organisation French Army
 

Monday 3rd June 1940

Campaign to prepare Public for Invasion.

extract Information Minister circulates plan to make public aware of "imminent danger of invasion". PM to make speech tomorrow
 

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 Cabinet to refuse French request for fighter aircraft. "Very serious losses" make it "quite impossible"
extract PM Churchill: This assistance not sufficient. "We should promise to send a third division"
person Stephen King
place Narvik
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation French Army
 

Western Front - British Military Policy.

extract Chiefs of Staff set out case for and against more help for France. Despatch of even two divisions "grave" security risk
person Francisco Franco
person Winston Churchill
person Edward Spears
person Paul Reynaud
place Great Britain
place Turkey
organisation British Army
 

Tuesday 4th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract General Ironside briefs on Home Defence plans: police powers, road blocks, production of new “Ironsides”
extract Intelligence report that Italians may make ultimatum to Allies. PM: "Our rejection should take the form of an air attack"
extract General Dill:”No doubt” Germans planning attack towards Paris. Expects this “in four or five days' time, or even earlier”
extract First Sea Lord: Navy "keeping a look-out for individual British soldiers who might reach the French coast"
extract General Dill: 20,700 men remain "unaccounted for. Most of these must have been killed or taken prisoner."
extract General Dill informs Cabinet "final measure" of Dunkirk evacuation completed overnight. Men evacuated (0000 BST) 310,216
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Herbert Morrison
person Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
place Great Britain
place Dunkirk
place Paris
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Air Chief reports on German bombing of Paris overnight. UK gave French "full warning", yet pilots not ready for action
extract PM reconsiders air support for France. UK cannot hold back RAF for defence while French “fighting for their lives”
person Ronnie Campbell
person Edward Spears
place Great Britain
place Dunkirk
place Paris
organisation French Air Force
 

Wednesday 5th June 1940

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 King of Norway now reluctant to leave country, though believes Allies will "win in the end”. Halifax to apply pressure
extract Lord Cork reports 4,500 troops successfully embarked from Norway. Embarkation continuing
 

Preparations for Home Defence.

extract Eden lays out status of home defence: 300,000 defence volunteers, 47 coastal batteries, progress on preventing landings
person Anthony Eden
place Northern Ireland
organisation Government of Canada
 

Thursday 6th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Norway evacuation proceeding "very satisfactorily", complete in about 48 hours. King Haakon to depart with his government
extract UK diplomats in Paris warn Marshall Petain has told PM Reynaud "nothing left but to make peace" and urged he step aside
extract Churchill warns Reynaud RAF fighter squadrons "worn to a shred and frightfully mixed up". UK cannot meet all his requests
extract PM Reynaud: Despatch of UK divisions to France "must be hastened to the maximum possible extent" or Paris will be lost
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
person Ronnie Campbell
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Maxime Weygand
person Stephen King
person Winston Churchill
person Edward Spears
person Paul Reynaud
place Narvik
place London, Ontario
organisation British Army
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK 51st Division madeto give ground after heavy attack. "Generally speaking" position "more satisfactory" than expected
extract Germans have penetrated Front 10-12 miles, French counterattacking “energetically”. PM: French Command gaining confidence
extract Air Chief reports 134 air raids on UK overnight. Very little damage, casualties "very few". No intercepts by RAF fighters
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Dill
place Malta
 

Friday 7th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract US Embassy in Germany informs government that UK's ambassador to Belgium Sir Laurence Oliphant is a prisoner in Berlin
extract Rumour received from Barcelona of German “secret weapon”: aircraft painted in British colours to attack Royal Navy
extract UK 51st Division “very hard pressed”, situation “cause for considerable anxiety”. No reinforcements for 2-3 days
extract PM: French seem to be resisting German attack “fairly well” in spite of the weight of the assault
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Andrew Greenwood
person John Anderson (Australian politician)
person Clive Anderson
place Greece
place Brussels
place Berlin, New York
organisation Royal Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract UK to target Germany's oil supply. Sabotage, air attacks and Royal Marine ops against imports from Romania approved
extract PM: French pressing constantly for more air support. Will “try and put the blame on us” if they lose this critical battle
extract Admiralty sending 2 destroyers as artillery support to 51st Division. Unit is “strung out” over a very wide front
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Vienna
organisation Royal Marines
 

Saturday 8th June 1940

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
 

Sunday 9th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract General Dill: Battle "in progress along the whole Western Front." PM Reynaud again urges fast despatch of UK forces
person Anthony Eden
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Paul Reynaud
place Iceland
place Narvik
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Rome
place Libya
organisation United States Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves Operation Paul to lay mines around neutral Swedish port of Lulea
place Finland
 

Monday 10th June 1940

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 PM Churchill cancels proposed attack on German ships in Trondheim harbour on advice of Chamberlain and Chiefs of Staff
person Neville Chamberlain
place Trondheim
organisation Home Fleet
 

Tuesday 11th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet informed of tonight's targets in Italy including Fiat motor factory. Incendiary attack on Black Forest approved
place Trondheim
place Turin
place Malta
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
 

Strategic importance of the Channel Islands.

extract Chiefs of Staff report on defence of Channel Islands. "Doubtful" Germany will invade but "little we could do" if they try
place Guernsey
place Isle of Portland
place Paris
organisation Royal Air Force
 

Plans to meet a certain eventuality.

extract Chiefs of Staff circulate strategy for obtaining more cooperation from US and how UK might respond to an occupied France
place Paris
place Washington
place West Germany
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation Royal Navy
 

Compulsory Censorship.

extract Information Minister Duff Cooper lays out new plan to censor "military matters" appearing in the Press
place Great Britain
place City of London
place Birmingham
place Northern Ireland
 

Wednesday 12th June 1940

Preparations against Invasion. Leaflet submitted by the Minister of Information.

extract Information Minister presents draft leaflet for public on invasion: "If the INVADER comes - what to do and how to do it"
person Duff Cooper
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
organisation Air Force F.C.
 

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
 

Thursday 13th June 1940

Plans to meet a certain eventuality.

extract Chiefs of Staff predict German victory will cause "more actively opportunist" Japan but end support from "alarmed" Russia
place Great Britain
place Caribbean
place Singapore
place Turkey
place Europe
place South America
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation French Navy
organisation United States Congress
 

Meeting minutes

extract Press uncertainty over possible announcement of neutrality by Spain. UK Ambassador: "We should take nothing for granted"
extract Turkey considering whether to declare war on Italy. Egyptian government has severed diplomatic relations
extract UK 52nd division having a "very good" morale effect on French. Eden: Their arrival "might make all the difference"
extract General Dill: Germans claim to be "within 12 miles of Paris already", capital being encircled. Rheims cut off to the east
extract PM Churchill and Lord Halifax in France for further meeting with French government. PM to return tonight to brief Cabinet
person Anthony Eden
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person John Dill
place Great Britain
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place Greece
place Egypt
place Turkey
place Paris
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
organisation Home Office
organisation Royal Air Force
 

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
 

Plans for Partial Evacuation of certain East Coast Towns.

extract Home Security Minister reports preparations for evacuation of east coast towns. 50% of local children already evacuated
person John Anderson (Maine)
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place East Anglia
 

Friday 14th June 1940

Internal security in Iraq.

extract Chiefs of Staff express unease over security situation in Iraq. Suggest propaganda broadcasts and stress "power of gold"
place Baghdad
place Iraq
place Syria
 

Security of Whitehall Area.

extract Cabinet Secretary announces closure to the public of Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade to improve Whitehall security
organisation Foreign and Commonwealth Office
 

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
 

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 General Dill: "No confirmation" of report of Soviet forces massing on the frontier of East Prussia
extract Report Swiss government to capitulate to military coup, allowing German troops free passage. Halifax: "A wild story"
extract BEF no longer under overall French command. "Grave risk" if French agree Armistice force "involved and unable to escape"
extract General Brooke reports that organised resistance in France has "come to an end". French army "disintegrating"
extract Roosevelt says his message "in no sense" promised US military action. PM: "Nothing short" of this will sustain France
person Alexander Cadogan
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person William Patrick Stuart-Houston
person Franklin D. Roosevelt
person Adolf Hitler
place Iraq
place Turkey
place Malta
place Greenwood, Nova Scotia
place Libya
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Foreign Office (Germany)
organisation United States Congress
 

Evacuation of Children from Great Britain Overseas.

extract Home Security Minister presents possible programme for evacuation of UK children to Dominion countries and America
person John Anderson (Maine)
place South Africa
place Great Britain
organisation Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Netherlands)
organisation Parliament of the United Kingdom
 

Sunday 16th June 1940

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 Churchill: “Absolute condition” of granting assent that French fleet sail for Britain "forthwith"
extract Halifax: Ambassador Kennedy hints President saving declaration of war as “last card” if France offered “impossible” terms
extract PM: "Some possibility" that if terms too harsh French Government might carry on the struggle from outside France
extract French government request UK authorisation to enquire "what armistice conditions would be offered to France by the enemy"
person Charles de Gaulle
person Ronnie Campbell
person Winston Churchill
person Jean Bart
place Great Britain
place New York, Lincolnshire
place Alexandria
organisation French Navy
organisation Canadian Forces Maritime Command
organisation French Air Force
organisation French 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
 

Monday 17th June 1940

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
 

Tuesday 18th June 1940

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
 

Channel Islands.

extract Staff Chiefs recommend demilitarisation of Channel Islands, order Lieutenant-Governors to mount no defence to invasion
place Guernsey
 

Wednesday 19th June 1940

Urgent measures to meet attack.

extract Chiefs of Staff: “We expect no period of respite” before Germans may begin new phase of war, invasion threat "immediate"
place Eyre Peninsula
place Isle of Portland
place Paris
organisation Home Office
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Halifax: Decision “distasteful” but cannot see Cabinet can reach conclusion other than that proposed by Chiefs of Staff
extract Cabinet discuss Channel Islands report. PM: “Repugnant” to abandon territory held by Crown since the Norman Conquest
extract Halifax announces receipt of telegram from Japan threatening war if UK will not immediately comply with a list of demands
extract Halifax reports French colonies may “be willing in most cases to cooperate with us” whatever decided by Petain government
extract Admiralty to make arrangements to embark Polish and Czech troops at French ports and bring them to UK
extract Admiral Darlan: “In no circumstances” will Fleet be surrendered to Germans. Can be got away during negotiations
extract PM: “More encouraging picture” from France. Fighting continuing, French navy has sunk two Italian submarines
extract Air Chief: 120 enemy aircraft over UK last night. Attacks on Cambridgeshire, East Anglia. Nine casualties so far reported
person Andrew Greenwood
person Walter Hines Page
person Maxime Weygand
person Jean Bart
place Great Britain
place Narvik
place Gibraltar
place South America
place East Anglia
place Eritrea
place Kenya
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation French Navy
organisation RAF Fighter Command
organisation 335th Fighter Squadron
 

Aircraft Production.

extract Lord Beaverbrook reports UK has 755 aircraft “on hand ready”. Supply of aircraft “now in excess of the available pilots”
person Max Aitken, Lord Beaverbrook
 

Thursday 20th June 1940

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
 

Friday 21st June 1940

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
 

Saturday 22nd June 1940

Balloons.

extract Lord Beaverbrook requests approval for order of 10,000 more barrage balloons. Calls Air Ministry programme "inadequate"
 

Meeting minutes

extract Report from Bordeaux that German armistice conditions have been received. Not possible to telegraph lengthy full text
extract King Farouk refusing to replace Egyptian PM. Situation dangerous. Farouk to be warned Cabinet would "welcome" his removal
extract Halifax: Concentration of Soviet forces in Baltic States "defensive". Sir Stafford Cripps to meet Marshall Stalin shortly
extract PM urges demand to France for information on Germany talks. Inconsistent with French honour to pass equipment to enemy
extract Halifax presents series of contradictory telegrams from France. Fears expressed that government may not now move overseas
person Walter Hines Page
person Ronnie Campbell
person Stafford Cripps
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
person Farouk of Egypt
place Great Britain
place Portugal
place East Germany
place Egypt
place Hong Kong
place Cairo
place Calais
place Lisbon, New York
organisation Home Office
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM: Cannot run “mortal risk” of allowing ships to fall into enemy hands. Rather "we should have to fight and sink them"
extract Cabinet to send appeals directly to French naval officers to secure fleet in spite of French government opposition
person Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
person Jean Bart
place Gibraltar
place Dakar
place Alexandria
place Syria
organisation Royal Navy
organisation French Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract PM orders broadcast denouncing Armistice terms as being of "most murderous character", making France "tool of the enemy"
extract UK Ambassador Bordeaux confirms that France and Germany have signed an Armistice agreement, precise terms unknown
extract Lord Halifax to issue statement for UK consuls in overseas French territories appealing to Colonies to continue the war
extract Cabinet approves broadcast by General de Gaulle at 2200 BST over Admiralty objections that it may alienate many Frenchmen
extract German wireless is reporting that France has signed an Armistice agreement
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Duff Cooper
person Jean Bart
place Syria
organisation French Navy
 

Sunday 23rd June 1940

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
 

German Armistice Terms to France.

extract Halifax circulates full text of draft armistice terms between Germany and France. Unclear if Germany accepted all terms
place Great Britain
place Madagascar
place Geneva
place Paris
organisation French Army
 

Monday 24th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract PM Churchill: Relations with France "might well approach very closely to those of two nations at war with each other"
extract Telegram received from former PM Reynaud. Churchill: Clear French government "completely under the thumb of Germany"
extract Aerial reconnaissance over Dortmund-Ems aqueduct shows RAF bombing has failed to damage structure despite being on target
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Walter Hines Page
person Samuel Hoare
person Francisco Franco
place Egypt
place Iceland
place Berlin, New York
place Malta
place Gibraltar
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation RAF Fighter Command
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet orders Halifax to prepare ultimatum to France demanding their fleet be scuttled or UK will "take action by force"
person Charles de Gaulle
person Jean Bart
person Edward Spears
place Plymouth
place Fiji
place London, Ontario
place Alexandria
place Portsmouth
 

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
 

Meeting minutes

extract War Cabinet discussion on UK action against French fleet again inconclusive. French ships in UK ports will be detained
person Jean Bart
place Gibraltar
place Portsmouth
 

Meeting minutes

extract French formally complain about de Gaulle broadcasts, recent statements by PM. Demand recall of UK consuls in N.Africa
extract War Cabinet informed that a Franco-Italian Armistice has been signed. No news is available as to its provisions
extract Halifax argues for return of destroyers to Sweden in exchange for their cancelling US aircraft contracts. Cabinet assents
person Charles de Gaulle
person Stephen King
person William Lyon Mackenzie King
person Clive Anderson
place South Africa
place Great Britain
place Lancaster, Lancashire
place North America
organisation Home Office
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Royal Navy
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Meeting minutes

extract Most French crew to be returned to France. French Navy's "Communist tendency" means "no reliance" can be placed on them
extract Cabinet cannot decide action toward French fleet. Agree UK must do all it can to capture or scuttle four biggest ships
person Jean Bart
place Gibraltar
place Alexandria
place Portsmouth
organisation French Navy
 

Tuesday 25th June 1940

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
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet authorises capture of French ships Richelieu and Jean Bart. "Every step should be taken to avoid bloodshed"
person Jean Bart
place Dakar
 

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
 

Wednesday 26th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves evacuation of women and children from Hong Kong. War Secretary to look at UK recruitment in Far East
extract General Dill: Military operations in the Middle East confirm "reluctance of the Italians to fight"
person Walter Hines Page
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
person Francisco Franco
person Adolf Hitler
place Great Britain
place Russian Empire
place Hong Kong
place Europe
place Gibraltar
place Portsmouth
organisation Home Office
organisation RAF Coastal Command
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation Royal Navy
organisation French Navy
organisation French Foreign Legion
 

Thursday 27th June 1940

German and Italian Armistice Terms to France.

extract Lord Halifax circulates full text of signed German and Italian armistice terms to France
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
place Great Britain
place Somaliland
place Geneva
place Syria
place Rome
place Libya
organisation Luftwaffe
organisation French Navy
 

Use of Public Schools for the Expansion of the Army.

extract War Secretary proposes public schools be taken over for training troops Education Secretary opposes http://ow.ly/239g4
person Anthony Eden
 

Meeting minutes

extract Churchill suggests attack on French ships in harbour at Oran, Algeria. Admiralty to form plan of operations
person Winston Churchill
place Malta
place Dakar
place Tunisia
place Algeria
 

Meeting minutes

extract Ambassador Kennedy to ask President Roosevelt to put pressure on Irish government to cooperate with UK defence plans
extract Halifax urges bombing of aircraft factories in German-occupied France before air defences are installed. Cabinet approves
extract PM: "Little chance now" of resistance in French Africa. UK mission not permitted to see French ex-Ministers at Rabat
extract Cabinet abandons plans for full scale evacuation of east coast towns. Hopes for voluntary evacuation of 60% of population
person Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell
person Charles de Gaulle
person Walter Hines Page
place Gisborne, New Zealand
place East Anglia
place Syria
place Libya
organisation Home Office
organisation Air Force F.C.
organisation French Army
 

Visit to French Morocco.

extract Information Minister reports failure in North Africa mission. French "determined we should see nobody of importance"
person Duff Cooper
person John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort
place Gibraltar
place London, Ontario
place Morocco
organisation French Air Force
 

Friday 28th June 1940

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
 

Meeting minutes

extract France requests release of vessels at Alexandria and UK ports. Told if ships try “to get away” they will be fired upon
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves broadcast tonight recognising General de Gaulle as "Leader of all free Frenchmen"
person Edward Bridges, 1st Baron Bridges
person Charles de Gaulle
person Walter Hines Page
person James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon
place Morocco
place Northern Ireland
 

Saturday 29th June 1940

Meeting minutes

extract France informs Admiralty that UK ships may not dock at French ports. French vessels "prepared to resist attack"
place Fiji
 

Despatch of Troops to Iraq.

extract Chiefs of Staff propose UK force in Iraq or "we may be faced with the need of occupying the country in strength later on"
place Iraq
place Basra
 

Meeting minutes

extract Lord Halifax reports Romania likely to accede to Russian demand to occupy territories of Bessarabia and Bukovina
person Walter Hines Page
person E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax
person Miles Lampson, 1st Baron Killearn
place Great Britain
place Russian Empire
place Egypt
place Hong Kong
place Shanghai
place Syria
 

Policy in the Far East.

extract Halifax outlines UK Far East policy, recommends rejection of Japanese demands to close Burma road to China
person Chiang Kai-shek
place Great Britain
place Hong Kong
place Singapore
place Shanghai
place Burma
 

Sunday 30th June 1940

Economic Help from the Americas. Text of a Telegram despatched to H.M. Ambassador, Washington.

extract Washington embassy instructed to approach US government for more economic support and to deny resources to Germany, Italy
person Arthur Greenwood
place Europe
place Washington
place West Germany
organisation New Zealand Treasury
organisation Royal Navy
organisation Government of Canada
organisation United States Congress
 

Home Defence.

extract Chiefs of Staff discuss invasion defence: "crust" of troops defend beaches, line of anti-tank obstacles, mobile reserves
person Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
organisation Royal Air Force
organisation Hopatcong High School
organisation United States Navy
 

Meeting minutes

extract Cabinet approves operations against French fleet moored at Oran for July 3rd. Action to be preceded by broadcasts