File TAYLOR, GF 4/3 - Papers relating chiefly to SOE operations in South Asia and South East Asia, Nov 1943

Correspondence, reports and memoranda on topics including policy, organisation, equipment, personnel, co-operation with OSS (Office of Strategic Services, the US counterpart to SOE), and with SOA (Special Operations Australia), and SOE operations in East and South East Asia (‘SEA’). File includes: telegram and report concerning SOE activities in China in relation to Chinese and American authorities; a memorandum on a conservation policy and protocols for commodities and equipment in enemy-occupied territory that would be required in the post-war period; a detailed memorandum by Taylor (‘AD’) on the possible use of Welfreighters (customised marine craft) by SOE in South East Asia; a report by Taylor on the co-ordination of SOE, SIS (Special Intelligence Service), OSS, and Political Warfare (PW) activities in South East Asia Command (SEAC); notes on French involvement in SEAC and the decision to establish a French volunteer special forces unit in French Indochina; letter of condolence from Taylor to Lady Patricia Milnes Gaskell on the death of her husband, Lt Col Charles Thomas Milnes Gaskell [‘D/P 104’, SOE Russian Section]; report by Taylor on J Arthur Duff, an OSS (Office of Strategic Services) operative in China; a telegram by Taylor on relations with the Free Siamese Movement (FSM, also known as the Free Thai Movement, FTM), and the necessity of a Foreign Office statement on the post-war independence of Thailand; a telegram from ‘AD 7’ on the selection of either Welguns or Sten guns for Operation Oblivion (for the infiltration of SOE personnel into Kwangtung (Guangdong) and Hong Kong, China.