bengtsson wrote:ar wrote:
There are files waiting to be looked at in the PRO that tell the entire story.
The problem with the British, is that almost nobody will get off their fat lazy bums. Unlike the US archives, the UK stuff is laid out with indexes and available on demand..
Sounds like the PRO should be on my list of places to visit when I arrange another London trip. A few questions though: Where is it? How does one arrange a visit? Do they need to know before hand the subjects you are after or can one browse the index and then request materials at the time one is there?
I 'will' search out that book. The radar devlopments made possible by the Cavity magnetron are what we might call of the "War Winning" nature.
One of the biggest stories of the allied war effort
Bob B.
A book on the Tizard mission is :-
"Top Secret Exchange" by Zimmerman
This really only tells the partial story of the Tizard mission (including Cavity Magnetron and proximity fuze) not the fuller story of the exchange of information.
At least as far as naval information goes there are files I've looked at on the "Bailey Committee" which covered the long-term copying of military and war-related civilian information from the British to the US.
This included the appointment of US technicians, experts and serving officers to areas of research and serving units. Well known examples of this are the observers within the British radar (RDF) research establishments (including samples of all RDF sets being sent to the US together with a circuit diagrams and sample valves), copies of all information on de-gaussing, etc......
As well as techncal information, tactical and operational information was sent - and this included (just to keep AR happy) the names and addresses of the firms which produced the various deck coverings used by the Royal Navy (including Semtex and Corticene !)
I do not know if there was a "Land" and/or an "Air" equivalent to the Bailey committee, I presume there was (anyone any info ?)
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Now, as far as the PRO (or more correctly if uselessly TNA:PRO) their website is at :-
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm
There are sections on how to visit etc. but basically allow most of a moring to get signed on, go on the introductory tour and then you can settle down to order documents.
One can use a PC and/or digital camera (but not a mobile scanner last I knew). There are photocopying facilities which one pays for.
IF you want to come try the "search the archives" pull down menu and then choose "the Catalogue"and then press "search the catalogue"
The search function is fast, but, as usual very literal.
The main naval files are in Department code "ADM"
It is best to just "play" a bit to see how sensitive things are.
Now, that's the good news. The "bad" news is that the files are many and varied and to get the full story needs lots of calling up of files.
The PRO has a decentish restaurant and is reasonably near to Kew Gardens (also the name of the nearest Tube station). So wives and/or girlfriends may be let to roam in one of the nicest botanical gardens in the world (come in mid-Spring when the daffodils are out) or high Summer. Some evenings are "late opening" and if you're trying to squash in research these may be better days to visit.
I will visit the website and get acquainted with their system. I know for years I have told myself to pay the PRO a visit. But being American, I knew little about it all. In any case, it gives me another excuse to visit London and stay a long time 
. Keep me jumping between the IWM photo section, the PRO and National maritime museum, I may have to stay a month!