King's College London
Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives

Papers of Capt Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart (1895-1970)

Reference code: GB99 KCLMA Liddell Hart
Title: LIDDELL HART, Capt Sir Basil Henry, (1895-1970)
Dates of creation of material: 1895-1975
Level of description: mainly file
Extent: 10.57 m³ or 537 boxes and 720 volumes of papers

• Introduction

  • Biographical history (including bibliography)
  • Provenance
  • Scope and content
  • Arrangement
  • Conditions of access and use
  • Related material

• Brief List

  • 1 Principal correspondence, 1916-1975

    Arranged alphabetically by surname
    • A-C
    • D-F
    • G-H
    • I-L
      
    • M-O
    • P-R
    • S-T
    • U-Z

  • 2 General correspondence, 1916-1975

    Arranged alphabetically by surname
    • A-C
    • D-F
    • G-H
    • I-L
      
    • M-O
    • P-R
    • S-T
    • U-Z
    • Miscellaneous
    • Israeli correspondence, 1947-1975
    • Correspondence as Visiting Professor, Davis California, 1962-1970

  • 3 Correspondence with publishers, agencies, journal editors, literary and legal advisers

    Arranged alphabetically by surname within sections
    • British publishers 1924-1970
    • American publishers, 1925-1969
    • Overseas publishers, 1932-1971
    • British and Irish military journals, 1921-1970
    • Non military British periodicals, 1919-1971
    • British newspapers, 1921-1971
    • American military journals, 1930-1969
    • American non-military journals, 1925-1968
    • Overseas military journals, 1949-1962
    • Overseas non-military periodicals, 1937-1970
    • News agencies, 1941-1963
    • Publishers of reference works, 1925-1969
    • Literary agents and legal advisers, 1925-1970

  • 4 Correspondence with government ministries, foundations, museums and universities including defence colleges and institutes, 1927-1970

    Arranged chronologically

    Includes:Correspondence relating to official histories of World War One and Two, 1937-1975
    Arranged chronologically

  • 5 Correspondence and papers relating to clubs, societies and political parties, 1922-1973

    Arranged chronologically

  • 6 Letters to the press, 1927-1968

    Arranged chronologically

  • 7 Early military writing including diaries and notebooks, 1910-1925

    Arranged chronologically

  • 8 Papers relating to early life career, mainly World War One, 1895-1960

  • 9 Military writings; books, 1925-1970

    Drafts, proofs, related correspondence and press coverage arranged in sections mainly by book title which are arranged chronologically overall
    • 9/1 Paris, or the future of war, 1925
    • 9/2 A greater than Napoleon, Scipio Africanus, 1926-1927
    • 9/3 The remaking of modern armies, 1927-1928
    • 9/4 Great captains unveiled, 1927-1928, 1965
    • 9/5 Reputations-ten years after, 1928
    • 9/6 The decisive wars of history; The strategy of indirect approach and The way to win wars, 1928-1968
    • 9/7 Sherman, 1928-1961
    • 9/8 The real war 1914-1918 and A history of the world war 1914-1918, 1929-1935
    • 9/9 Foch, 1931-1934
    • 9/10 The British way in warfare and When Britain goes to war, 1932-1942
    • 9/11 The future of infantry, 1932-1934
    • 9/12 The ghost of Napoleon, 1933-1935
    • 9/13 'T E Lawrence'-in Arabia and after and T E Lawrence to his biographers-Robert Graves and Liddell Hart, 1933-1963
      • Papers and correspondence with and relating to TE Lawrence, 1929-1970
    • 9/14 The war in outline 1914-1918, 1936-1943
    • 9/15 Europe in arms, 1937-1938
    • 9/16 Through the fog of war, 1937-1939
    • 9/17 The defence of Britain, 1938-1939
    • 9/18 Dynamic defence, 1940-1941
    • 9/19 The current of war, 1941
    • 9/20 This expanding war, 1942-1943
    • 9/21 Why don't we learn from history?, 1943-1973
    • 9/22 Thoughts on war, 1943-1944
    • 9/23 The revolution in warfare, 1944-1948
    • 9/24 The other side of the hill, 1948 and The Rommel papers, (edited) 1953-1972
    • Panzer leader by Heinz Guderian, 1951-1966
      • Correspondence with World War Two German Generals, 1933-1973
      • German generals collection: texts of interviews with German generals and related papers, 1945-1966
      • Papers relating to the Nuremberg trails, notably the trail of FM Fritz Erich von Manstein, 1945-1973
      • Subject files relating to Germany, 1912-1969
    • 9/25 Defence of the West, 1949-1951
    • 9/26 The letters of Private Wheeler (edited), 1949-1953
    • 9/27 The Soviet army (edited), 1953-1957
    • 9/28 The tanks, the history of the Royal Tank Regiment, 1941-1963
      • Correspondence with Royal Tank Regiment friends, 1919-1969
      • Subject files on tanks, including correspondence with tank pioneers, 1914-1970
      • Papers written and collated by Lt Col Philip Johnson, notably relating to the Medium D Tank, 1915-1916
    • 9/29Deterrent or defence, 1950-1962
    • 9/30Memoirs of Capt Liddell Hart, 1949-1970
    • 9/31 History of the second world war, 1942-1976
    • 9/32 Overseas cuttings and reviews, 1925-1967

  • 10 Military writings: articles, 1932-1969

    Described chronologically overall. The physical arrangement, however, differs.
    • Note on the physical arrangement
    • 1932-1935
    • 1936-1939
    • 1940-1945
    • 1946-1950
    • 1951-1960
    • 1961-1969
    • Miscellaneous
    • 1925-1933

  • 11 Military writings: diaries, notes and memoranda, 1928-1970 including correspondence with Rt Hon Leslie Hore Belisha, 1937-1957

    Arranged chronologically except for subsection of Hore Belisha material
    • 1925-1930
    • 1931-1935
    • 1936-1938
    • Hore-Belisha
    • 1939-1945
    • 1946-1950
    • 1951-1960
    • 1961-1970
    • Undated diaries, diary notes and memoranda

  • 12 Military writings: lectures, broadcasts, speeches and interviews, 1926-1969

    Arranged chronologically
    • 1926-1930
    • 1931-1940
    • 1941-1950
    • 1951-1960
    • 1961-1970
    • Miscellaneous memoranda relating to lectures, broadcasts, speeches and interviews, [1926-1969]

  • 13 Biographical material, including newspaper cuttings and copy letters, 1912-1970, mainly focused on career post 1925

    Arranged broadly chronologically by themes

  • 14 Papers relating to religion and philosophy, sport, science, psychology and fashion, 1913-1983

    Date ranges give dates of papers
    • Religion and philosophy, 1913-1972
    • Rugby, lawn tennis and aviation, 1913-1926
    • Science, psychology and fiction writing, 1923-1948
    • Fashion and manners, 1921-1983

  • 15/1 Reference material, pre-1914 history

    • Pre 1914 history, including classical warfare, colonial history and the American War of Independence. Papers 1854-1971

  • 15/2 Reference material World War One, 1914-1918. Papers 1870-1974

    • Origins
    • Anglo Irish relations including the Easter Rising
    • Contemporary reporting, post war interpretation and commemoration
    • War at sea and in the air
    • Western Front: France and Belgium
    • Eastern Front and Russian Revolution
    • Africa
    • Italian - Austrian Front
    • Dardanelles
    • United States
    • Concordance of references to 1975 catalogue

  • 15/3 Reference material: Interwar years, 1919-1939. Papers 1917-1972

    • British Army including strategy, tactics and modernisation
    • Territorial Army
    • Army recruitment and conscription
    • Army organisation
    • Army education
    • Army equipment and weapons
    • War Office press releases on the Army
    • Training of the Regular Army
    • Training armed land forces
    • Royal Air Force
    • Air force policy in British Empire
    • Anti aircraft defence
    • Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm and Merchant Navy
    • National security and defence including civil mobilisation
    • Imperial security
    • British Fascist movement
    • British Royal family, including the abdication of Edward VIII
    • British Society and politics
    • Disarmament, collective security and League of Nations
    • The League of Nations Union
    • New Commonwealth society
    • China and Japan
    • Italy, including war with Ethiopia
    • Spain and Spanish Civil War
    • Policies of various nations, 1920-1939 including Europe, USSR and USA
    • European relations and origins of World War Two
    • Concordance of references to 1975 catalogue

  • 15/4 Reference material: World War Two, 1939-1945. Papers, 1914-1973

    Unless otherwise stated date ranges given below reflect periods under discussion. Broad periods may be understood where no date bracket is given.
    • Outbreak
    • Poland
    • Finland
    • Norway
    • Invasion of Western Europe and British Expeditionary Force, 1939-1940 (15/4/11-20)
    • Western Desert and North Africa, 1940-1943
    • East African campaigns, 1940-1943
    • Syria, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq, 1940-1942
    • USSR
    • Balkans, Turkey and Aegean
    • Romania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Hungary
    • Malta and Crete
    • Italy
    • Dieppe Raid, 19 Aug 1942
    • Second Front, 1942-1944
    • North West Europe, 1944-1945
    • Japan and Far East (includes 102-127)
    • Air warfare, 1939-1945
    • Anti-aircraft defences, ARP, and V weapons (166-180)
    • Atomic bomb
    • Allied relations, arms and planning, 1939-1946 (185-208)
    • Newspapers on European War, 30 April -12 May 1945
    • War at sea, 1939-1945
    • Official and other publications (229-266)
    • Prisoners of war
    • UK Home Front, 1939-1945 (plus 315-343)
    • British Army, 1939-1945
    • USA
    • France, 1940-1946
    • Denmark and Iceland
    • Belgium and Netherlands
    • Channel Islands
    • Ireland
    • Central and South America
    • Spain and Portugal
    • Sweden and Switzerland
    • Australia and New Zealand
    • Canada
    • South Africa
    • India
    • Postwar British Empire
    • Articles by named correspondents, 1938-1948
    • Churchill Papers 1937-1973
    • Montgomery Papers 1943-1970
    • Allied military leaders
    • Periodicals and journals, 1939-1969
    • Casualty figures and statistics
    • Concordance of references to 1975 catalogue

  • 15/5 Reference material: postwar, 1945-1970, Papers, 1927-1972

    Date ranges give dates of papers
    • Non violent resistance, 1927-1969, including pacifism and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 1958-1966
    • British society and domestic and foreign policy, 1927-1970
    • Arms control and disarmament, 1931-1969
    • Social and economic impact of World War Two, 1933-1969
    • Morale, courage and leadership, 1935-1966
    • United Nations Organisation, International Law and peace keeping, 1935-1970
    • Army education, welfare and training, 1936-1970
    • Armed forces man power and appointments, 1937-1964
    • Royalty, 1937-1969
    • Civil aviation and RAF, 1941-1970
    • Espionage and corruption, 1943-1968
    • Guerrilla and unconventional warfare, 1944-1964
    • British military bases, 1944-1969
    • British defence policy, 1946-1969, including nuclear deterrence
    • UK Civil Defence, 1947-1969
    • Navies and shipping, 1947-1970
    • Civil-military relations, 1954-1967
    • Science and warfare, including chemical and bacteriological warfare, and operational research, 1939-1969
    • Nuclear research and weapons, 1939-1970
    • Military organisation and tactics, including amphibious warfare, night action and mobility, 1941-1969
    • Palestine and Israel, 1930-1970
    • The USSR, 1940-1971
    • Western Europe, 1942-1969
    • The USA, 1942-1970
    • Africa, 1942-1970
    • India and Pakistan, 1945-1969
    • NATO and Western defence, 1945-1972
    • South East Asia and Central Asia, 1945-1969, notably French Indo-China War, 1950-1954
    • Middle East, 1945-1969
    • France, 1945-1971, including Algerian War, 1954-1962
    • Eastern Europe, 1946-1969
    • China, 1946-1970
    • Canada, Central and South America and the Caribbean, 1949-1969
    • Korean War, 1950-1968
    • R Adm Henry Effingham Eccles, US Navy, on logistics, Cuba and Vietnam, 1952-1968
    • Cuba, 1959-1969
    • South East Asia, 1963-1971, including Vietnam, 1963-1971, Laos 1963-1969, Indonesia, 1963-1965 and Burma, 1963-1964
    • Concordance of references to 1975 catalogue

  • 15/6 Cuttings relating to public figures, including obituaries, 1919-1972

  • 15/7 Typescripts and proofs of books by others, with related correspondence, 1935-1970

    Arranged alphabetically by surname of author. The majority of these works were intended for publication and sent to Liddell Hart either by the publisher or by the author for comment.

  • 15/8 Military manuals and pamphlet, 1878-1961

    Arranged chronologically by date of publication

  • 15/9 Private papers of Brig George Ellenberger, (1895-1974)

    Papers span 1916-1918 and 1930-1932, and mainly concern Austria and Hungary
    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/10 Private papers of Maj Henry Ellis D Harris (1913-1983) mainly concerning ordnance, 1939-1945

    
    Arranged broadly chronologically
    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/11 Private papers of Maj Gen Percy Hobart, (1885-1957) mainly concerning armoured warfare, 1926, 1935-1945

    
    Arranged chronologically within commands
    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/12 Private papers of Maj Gen George Lindsay (1880-1956) mainly concerning mechanisation, 1916-1948

    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/13 Private papers of Col Karol Lubinski (1890-[1967]) relating to Military Intelligence. Research section, War Office. Papers, 1940-1967

    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/14 Private papers of Col Roderick (Rory) Macleod (1891-1984) concerning personal career 1920-1960 and career of Maj Gen (William) Edward Ironside, 1919-1960

    • Introduction
    • Papers

  • 15/15 Private papers of Reginald William Winchester (Chester) Wilmot (1911-1954)

    • Introduction
    • Allied and axis strategy and diplomacy during World War Two, 1945-1952
    • Operation OVERLORD and North West Europe, 1943-1945. Papers 1944-1957
    • Allied Army sources, 1944-1952, notably intelligence summaries and tactical investigations
    • German political and military policy, 1939-1945. Papers 1944-1956
    • Interrogations of German Commanders, 1944-1950, including Canadian interrogations
    • Drafts and related correspondence for The Struggle for Europe (1952) by Wilmot, 1945-1952
    • Concordance of references to the 1975 catalogue (in preparation)
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