This microfilm collection contains copied official documents relating to US naval operations and administration in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, 1940-1955. Many of the microfilmed documents were official reports sent to the Historical Section, US Navy, in 1971, for the purposes of compiling an official history. The collection includes US Navy command papers relating to the planning for naval co-operation between the United States and Great Britain, 1940-Dec 1941; microfilmed copies of Adm Harold Raynsford Stark's typescript diaries during his command of COMNAVEU, including passages relating to the establishment of a combined naval command with Britain 29 Apr 1942-31 May 1944; microfilmed copies of draft chapters of an administrative history of US naval forces in Europe, including an official narrative of US Naval Forces in Europe, 1 Sep 1945-1 Oct 1946, compiled by the Commander, US Naval Forces Europe; an official draft of an administrative history of US naval forces in Europe, Aug 1945-Mar 1947, compiled by the Commander, US Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; quarterly summaries of US Navy operations issued by the Commander, US Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, 1 Apr 1947-31 Mar 1949; chapters submitted by the Commander, US Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, to the Director of Naval History, US Navy, relating to the transition of US naval forces to a post-war status and the reduction of US forces in the region; microfilmed copies of official reports sent by the Commander in Chief, US Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM), to the Chief of Naval Operations, relating to operations, communications, logistics, personnel, and condition of command of Commander in Chief, US Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (CINCNELM), 30 Oct 1947-1 Jul 1955.

Papers relating to the career of Maj Peter Oldfield, 1941-1944, including: diary, Jun-Nov 1941, detailing work at Air Reconnaissance Unit at the Middle East Headquarters; typescript 'War Diary' of Peter and Elisabeth Oldfield, with excerpts from Elisabeth's memoirs of following Oldfield to Middle East and Oldfield's reminiscences of his experiences, written by a member of the family, [2004]; Elisabeth Oldfield's typescript memoirs; constitution of Special Air Service regimental association; photographs of the Western Desert, [1942], including Long Range Desert Group activities, Field Marshal Erwin Rommell, and surrendering Italian prisoners; photograph of ship being sunk off Tunisia, 1941; photographic copies of letters from Oldfield to his wife Elisabeth, VAD, 15 Scottish Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, 1943. Letters to family from William Gibbons of Knight, Frank and Rutley, including description of Oldfield's capture, 1943; postcards from Oldfield while Italian POW to family and friends, 1943; correspondence from Switzerland whilst interned including letters to his wife from Berne, Dec 1943; postcards from Oldfield to family, 1944. Press cuttings relating to POWs, Special Air Service and events of war. Papers relating to award of bronze statuette to Oldfield by 1 Special Air Service regiment, including letters from Lt Col David Stirling, 1981, and press cutting on reward.

Papers of Capt John Archer, 1889-1938, including: diaries, 1889-1896, 1901, 1908-1910, 1919, 1921-1922, 1925 and 1938; correspondence with family, friends and colleagues detailing his military experiences, 1893-1913; papers relating to Archer's career, including notebook containing details of service record, examinations passed, certificates gained and financial accounts, 1889-1894; list of warrant and non-commissioned officers at School of Musketry, Hythe, Oct 1895; printed map of Mashonaland, 1896; issues of The Rhodesia Herald, 1896, concerning the Mashonaland Uprising; general instructions for non-commissioned officers, 1897; timetable for movement of Archer's unit from Omdurman, 1898; poem 'The Night Attack on Surprise Hill', by Pte J Gibbons, 1899; sketch map of Lydenburg and the surrounding countryside, South Africa, by R Verney, 2 Lieutenant, Rifle Brigade, [1899]; lithograph map of Cairo, War Office, 1901; special orders announcing proclamation of peace, June 1902; Intelligence summaries, Jan and April 1902; order of service for Military Thanksgiving Service for the Restoration of Peace, Pretoria, Jun 8 1902; order of service for Coronation Day, 26 Jun 1902; parade service for visit of the Amir of Afghanistan to Agra, Jan 1907, with map showing locations of troop billets and plan of organisation of troop review; papers relating to Archer's time as POW, Germany and Holland, 1914-1918, and press cuttings, correspondence and reports relating to Archer's job as Superintendent of Prisons, Nyasaland, 1920-1936.Rifle and athletic meeting programmes, with press cuttings recording Archer's successes, 1898-1914. Photograph album showing manoeuvres, Malta, 1897; Crete, 1898; punitive raids on Transvaal farms, including taking Boer women into concentration camps, 1901; Middleburg and Groot Oliphant Camps, 1901-1902; views of Egypt including parades, inspections, sports and camps, 1902-1905; photographs of groups of POWs, Merseburg Camp and examples of paper money used in the Merseburg Camp, 1914-1919. Also copy of A Fine Chest of Medals: The Life of Jack Archer, Colin Baker (Mpemba Books: Cardiff, 2003).