The Cold War television documentary archive consists of transcripts of 531 interviews concerning events of the Cold War - the political, ideological tension between the United States and the United Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR), 1946-1989, following the end of World War Two, which while falling short of actual war between these two nations, was evident in their foreign and defence policies, and those of their allies.

Interviews were conducted with eyewitnesses from the US, USSR, Germany, Poland, Britain, Czechoslovakia, Italy, France, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Spain, Vietnam, Korea, China, Israel Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Cuba, Chile, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and including politicians, policy makers and advisors, diplomats, journalists, academics, members of armed forces, dissidents, peasants, factory workers and civilians.

Events described include the Berlin blockade, 1948-1949, the Berlin Crisis, 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis, Oct 1962, the Vietnam War, 1965-1975, the Korean War, 1950-1953, the Hungarian uprising, 1956, the Prague Spring, 1968, the nuclear arms race, 1945-1991, and Chinese communism, 1949-1972.

The collections also contains transcripts of a series of seminars on the Cold War, Oct 1995, as well as an incomplete series of files relating to individual episodes of the documentary series including annotated extracts of interview transcripts and other production information. (Transcripts in this section of the collection are mainly duplicates, however there are a small number which are not found in the main transcript series).

My long journey: a true story of World War II as seen through the eyes of a former commando soldier , typescript memoir by Colour Sergeant George 'The Joker' Jowett, including descriptions of training with King's Own Royal Border Regiment in Armagh, Northern Ireland and Liverpool, England; selection for Special Service as a Commando; training at the Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry, 1942; D-Day preparations with 6 Commando, May 1944; D-Day landings and subsequent action, Normandy, June 1944; evacuation after being wounded and recovery in Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Gloret Auxiliary hospital, June-July 1944; return to service in Ostend, Jan 1945; serious injury while on patrol, Feb 14 1945; treatment and physical therapy in Lille, France; posting in Veroa, Greece, Famagusta, Cyprus and Tobruk with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment after the disbanding of the Commandos, 1946-1947; demobilisation, 1947. Also typescript memoir 'D Day: before and after', account of the Normandy landings June 1944 excerpted from 'My Long Journey'.

The Azores expedition: the signals contribution', typescript account of RAF expedition to establish an airbase in the Azores, Oct 1943, written in 1996.

Typescript memoir by Cadell, edited by his son Ian V Cadell in 1997, relating to his RAF career, 1925-1945, including details of the establishment of 80 Wing, RAF Countermeasures Unit, 1940, the establishment of the intelligence listening station, Chicksands, Bedfordshire, 1941-1943, and Cadell's role in the development of radar, 1939-1940.

Typescript notes and copies of photographs, compiled by his nephew, Bruce O B Williams, relating to Cadogan's life and career, 1908-1998, including genealogical information and notes on bibliographic sources on the Chindit operations in Burma, 1943-1944 (Operations LONGCLOTH, Feb-Mar 1943 and THURSDAY, Mar 1944). Also, brief typescript notes on the life and military careers of Lt Ernest Llewellyn Williams, 160 Bde, Royal Field Artillery, 34 Div, Western Front, 1917-1918, and Maj Lewis Bernard Williams, Royal Artillery, World War Two, 1939-1945.

Dr Tim Jones' research notes, 2001-2006, for his books Postwar counterinsurgency and the SAS, 1945-52; SAS, the first secret wars and SAS: Zero Hour including notes from interviews.

Various papers relating to his family, life and career, dated [1988 and 1991], notably including a brief draft memoir covering his life and career, 1902-1991, written in 1991 and a brief account of the life of his grandfather, Louis Anthony Vintcent, 1865-1891, a member of the Pioneer Corps who accompanied the British South Africa Company Police on their trek to occupy Mashonaland in 1890, sent to Buckle by J P A Sutton in 1988.

Privately published memoir, D.B.H.W. , covering his life and career, 1917-1999; including account of childhood and education; early service in RN, 1928-1933; decision to transfer to Engineering Branch, 1933; construction of HMS PRINCE of WALES and establishment of Damage Control Department, 1940-1941; account of engagement with the German battleship BISMARCK and the sinking of HMS HOOD, May 1941; account of 'Atlantic Meeting' between Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Aug 1941; the loss of HMSS PRINCE OF WALES and REPULSE, Dec 1941; service as Engineer Officer, HMS ISIS, Indian Ocean, 1942-44; post-war service in aircraft carriers HMS IMPLACABLE, 1946-1948 and HMS EAGLE, 1956-1956 and subsequent career as a 'Whitehall Warrior' and Adm Superintendent, Devonport.

Copy of unpublished memoir, 'The Life of Engineer Rear Admiral Sir Henry Wildish aka The Rogue Elephant, 1884-1973', by his son, V Adm Sir Denis Bryan Harvey Wildish, covering his Naval career, 1901-1945, including chapters on his early life and training; sea service aboard HMSs NILE, HERMES, DUNCAN, 1905-1914; service in World War One as Senior Engineer of the heavy cruiser, HMS SUTLEJ, attached to 11th Cruiser Squadron based at Queenstown 1914-1915, as Senior Engineer of the heavy cruiser HMS KING ALFRED, Flagship of the 6th Cruiser Squadron, mainly engaged in patrol duties off the African coast, and as Chief Engineer of the destroyer HMS SPRINGBOK, attached to the Harwich Light Forces, 1916-1919; inter-war sea service as Engineer Officer of HMSs DILIGENCE, 1925, WEYMOUTH, 1925-1926, and FURIOUS, 1928-1931, and shore appointments particularly as Engineer Officer in Charge. Admiralty Fuel Experimental Station. Haslar, 1926-1928; service in World War Two as Engineer Admiral on the Staff of Staff of Commander-in-Chief, Nore Command, 1937-1941and as Command Engineer Officer on the Staff of Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches, Adm Sir Max Kennedy Horton, 1941-1945; Appendices include copies of his Confidential Reports (flimsies), 1904-1945; correspondence on Wildish's concept of a petrol fuelled internal combustion engine for torpedoes and submarines when submerged; details of the Stefco-Wildish Patent Two Stage Steam Dryer and the Wildish firebrick and bolt.