WWII

World War 2 Archives

The archive materials related to WWII is the most extensive in the collection. This is in part due to the great wealth of material available. During the war massive amounts of documents – pamphlets, posters, official guides, etc., were generated by all governments to support their war efforts, and many of these have survived and found their way into the hands of collectors and military enthusiasts. The result – a great deal of interesting material to look at!

German Anti-American leaflet titled “Indeed and Amusing War for the Americans”.

State Colours of the Coldstream Guards. Document informing “the Relatives and Friends of Eric Jack Parker that he is serving his King and Country as a soldier no. 2666211 in the Coldstream Guards” 10th July, 1943.

American Illustrated Propaganda Leaflet (in German) depicting “Heavy bombs from Soviet, England and American aircraft”. This type of pamphlet was dropped over Germany during WWII as part of the Allied propaganda campaign.

Allied propaganda leaflet dropped over Germany regarding the British bombing of Lubeck.

Photograph of H.M.S. Gypsy. The second British Destroyer sunk in WWII, it hit a German mine in November 1939

German propaganda leaflet dropped over Dunkerque in 1940 telling Allied soldiers that the situation was hopeless and they should lay down their arms

German WWII propaganda leaflet announcing Hitler assuming complete control of the German state and war effort, 1942

Humorous RAF Certificate for Crossing the Arctic Circle, 1942

Land army pictures

Excerpt from the Admiralty Publication “Arctic War”, 1945

“The Story of French ‘Spy’ Stamps

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication “R.A.F.Middle East”, 1943

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication, “British Railways in Wartime” 1943

Excerpt from the Air Training Corps Gazette, April 1942

Pamphlet on the “National Services Act, 1939-1941 – Position of Men”

Government Pamphlet “Grants to the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy Societies in 1946”

Pamphlet Entitled “Further Education” outlining a scheme for returning soldiers looking to acquire further training/education. 1945

One page document from the Admiralty, Portsmouth, instructing officers arriving in the U.K. and reintegrating into civilian life after WWII.

Pamphlet for the SCR, 1941-42. The SCR was an organisation established in 1924 to collect and distribute information on the USSR in Britain, and supply the USSR with information on British culture.

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication, “Land at War”

Excerpt from “Frontline 1940-1941”

Excerpt from the wartime Publication “Merchantmen at War”

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication “Target Germany”

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication, “Fleet Air Arm”

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication, “Destruction of an Army”

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication “Frontline 1940-1941

Excerpt from the Wartime Publication, “There’s Freedom in the Air”

Excerpt from the Publication “The Conquest of North Africa”

Excerpt from “Northern Garrisons”

Excerpt from the Booklet, “Transport Goes to War”

Excerpt from the Booklet, “The Air Battle of Malta”

Excerpt from the Booklet, “The Campaign in Greece and Crete”

Excerpt from the Pamphlet “The Tiger Triumphs” that tells the story of the contribution made by soldiers from India during WWII.

Excerpt from the Pamphlet “Battle of Flanders” 1940

Pamphlet on the Abbotsford B.C. Air base, part of the Empire Air Training Scheme in WWII

Excerpt from the Government Publication, “Among Those Present” the Official Story of the Pacific Islands at War.

War Damage Act, 1941. Part II: Private Chattels Scheme

Copy of “C’mon and Sing” a collection of songs published by the Canadian Red Cross during WWII.

Excerpt from the Admiralty Publication, The Mediterranean Fleet, April 1941 to January 1943. The excerpts chosen cover the situation in the Mediterranean and the Siege of Malta.

Volume 1. No. 1. of The Aeroplane Spotter, January 2nd, 1941

Excerpt from the Admiralty publication, “Merchantmen at War” The excerpt chosen is titled “Ships in the Thick of it”

Excerpts from “Aircraft Recognition” The Inter-Services Journal. Number 10. June 1944.

Copy of the German Luftpost, April 10th 1944

Excerpts from the Admiralty Publication “His Majesty’s Minesweepers” 1943

RAF Xmas Postcard

Pamphlet Issued by Wild Woodbine Cigarettes offering Soldiers Useful Hints Upon Arriving in India

Excerpt from the London Gazette, 1943

A Collection of Stamps from Wartime Germany

A.T.S. and V.A.D. Release Book, 1945

Clothing Ration Book, 1945

Air Raid Warden’s Card

Civil Defence Pamphlet – Evacuation Why and How? 1939.

Civil Defence Pamphlet: Your Food in Wartime, 1939

Sheet Music: Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There, 1943

Document on the Bombing of the Light Forces at the Evacuation of Crete

Sheet Music for Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942

Pamphlet: RAF Members of Aircraft Crews Entry and Service, 1941

RAF Registration Form for Candidates for Service

Pamphlet: Bombay – A Services Guide to the City

Pamphlet: Welcome to Bombay – V for Victory

RAF Volunteer Reserve Notice of Postponement of Service

Form Given out Listing Items Given to Soldiers in India

Document to be Given to Local Population in India if Lost

Play Put on by RAF Gibraltar

RAF Certificate of Service and Discharge

National Service Document Regarding Wounded in North Africa

Home Guard Certificate of Proficiency

British WWII Propaganda Pamphlet for the French People

British Propaganda from WWII, showing Britain, The U.S. and Russia shaking hands and hitting Hitler

Second British WWII Propaganda Pamphlet for the French People

Russian Propaganda Leaflet aimed at German Soldiers. August 1943

RAF Christmas Card from 1942

German Propaganda Leaflet From WWII regarding Dunkurque

Letter from Beirut, 1943. Children thanking a Col. Moore for the Christmas Party they had.

German Newspaper on Hitler Youth 1935

Jersey Occupation Stamps

Streets scenes of Shanghai mid 1930s taken by a George Fowler of the RAMC who worked as an orderly in a British military hospital in Shanghai

WWII RAF ‘Christmas Greetings’ card, sent from India to England 1944

Two America WWII ‘War Ballots”

Marines outside a dance hall in New Zealand, 1943

Document related to a ‘Salerno Day’ Celebration, Sept 9th 1945. Marked the 1st anniversary of the Fawas battle.

Document summarising the UK government plan for partial demobilisation. 22nd September 1944