Working with telegrams as sources

Investigate the sources

1. Source 1: Moon landing

   It is important to remember that differences between sources vary according to the audience for whom they were created. Was the source intended as a public broadcast or publication, or as a secret communication between national governments or internal government departments? Was it intended for the public or scientific community?

   Read the telegram below and answer the associated questions. Then look at the photographic source that gives some context for the telegram.

   1. 

      RESTRICTED
      CYPHER/CAT. A
      FLASH FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO WASHINGTON
      Telegram Number 1626

      21 July 1969 (American)

      RESTRICTED
      Tel. No. 622: APOLLO 11.
      Moon Landing
      The message from the Prime Minister which follows should be delivered to The White House for the President when the lunar astronauts are back in the mother-ship.

      You should not deliver the message until it is certain that the astronauts are safely back within the mother-ship.

      Please report by Flash telegram as soon as the message has been delivered. We shall publish the text of the message here as soon as you have reported delivery.
      The message reads as follows:-

      “I told you when you telephoned me this afternoon how excited everyone was in the United Kingdom by the success of the Apollo 11 Mission, but I held back my formal message until I knew that the astronauts had returned safely to their mother-ship. Now that they have completed their historic moon landing, I send, on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, to you, to astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins, and to all associated with it our warmest congratulations on the magnificent success of the Apollo 11 mission. This epic voyage of discovery is an inspiration to us all. We offer our hopes and prayers for the crew of Apollo 11 for the successful completion of their mission and a safe return to earth”.

      STEWART
      DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
      AMERICAN DEPT
      S. & T.D.
      NEWS DEPT.
      COPIES TO:
      No. 10 DOWNING STREET
      RESTRICTED

   2. 

      Mooncakes for Apollo Astronauts
      -Hong Kong brings moon festival up to date-

      When the three Apollo 11 astronauts returned from their historic mission recently, they brought back with them more than just samples of the lunar soil.
      What else did they bring back? Mooncakes of course….given to them by a goddess.
      This delightful version of what happened when the first man landed on the moon is how many bakery shops in Hong Kong are depicting the event on huge picture signboards.
      It is the first time that three strangers from the West have been linked to one of the most colourful and spectacular festivals in the colony— the moon festival.
      The festival which lasts for three days, and three nights commemorates the flight of an Empress, (later deity) to the moon some 3,000 years ago.
      PICTURED: The moon goddess Sheung Ngor and the Apollo astronauts pictured together in this Hong Kong version of what happened when the first man landed on the moon.
      HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
      INFORMATION SERVICES 1969

   Look at the telegram in Source 1a

   • Who produced this telegram? Do you know anything about the author?
   • When was it produced?
   • What points or arguments are made in the telegram?
   • What values or attitudes does the content of the source reflect?
   • How does the content of the source relate to a given historical situation?
   • Are there any clues about the intended audience for the source?
   • How reliable is the source and does it have any limitations?
   • How does the telegram relate to other sources from the time?

   Look at the photograph and caption in Source 1b

   • This document comes from the Hong Kong Government information services. What type of source is it?
   • Why is Hong Kong referred to as a ‘colony’ at this time?
   • What is the Hong Kong Moon Festival?
   • What do the photograph and caption suggest about the impact of the moon landings on Hong Kong?
   • Does this source reflect any ideas, attitudes or arguments contained in the telegram? Give your reasons.
   • Can you explain any differences between this source and the telegram about the moon landing in 1968?
   • What is the value for historians of looking at both sources?

2. Source 2: Churchill to Stalin

   This telegram contains some specialist language codes so check the glossary to find out what they mean. Sir Archibald Clark Kerr was a British diplomat who served as Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1942 to 1946.

   1. 

      COPY

      (CYPHER) PRISEC. [Private Secretary] PRIME MINISTER’S
      PERSONAL TELEGRAM
      Serial Number T.1434/2

      FROM FOREIGN OFFICE TO MOSCOW
      Sir A. Clark Kerr
      Moscow

      No.334
      5th November 1942 5th November 1942

      MOST IMMEDIATE DEDIP BIGOT

      Please deliver following message from Prime Minister to Premier Stalin.

      Personal and Secret

      I promised to tell you when our Army in Egypt had gained a decisive victory over Rommel. General Alexander now reports that the enemy’s front is broken and that he is retreating westwards in considerable disorder. Apart from the troops in the main battle, there are six Italian and two German divisions in the desert to the south of our advance along the coast. These have very little mechanical transport or supplies, and it is possible that a very heavy toll will be taken in the next few days. Besides this, Rommel’s only line of retreat is along the coastal road, which is now crammed with troops and transport and under the continuous attack of our greatly superior Air force.

      1. Most Secret- for yourself alone. “TORCH” is imminent on a very large scale. I believe the political difficulties about which you expressed concern have been satisfactorily solved. The military movement is proceeding with precision.
      2. I am most anxious to proceed with placing of the 20 British and American squadrons on your southern flank as early as possible. President Roosevelt is in full accord and there is no danger now of a disaster in Egypt. Before anything can be done however it is necessary that detailed arrangements should be made about landing grounds etc., between your officers and ours. Kindly let me know as soon as possible how you would like this consultation to be arranged. The squadrons it is proposed to send were stated in my telegram of 8th October (Foreign Office No.268) in accordance with which we have been making such preparations as were possible pending arrangements with you.
      3. Let me further express to you, Premier Stalin, and to Mr. Molotov our congratulations on the ever-glorious defence of Stalingrad and on the decisive defeat of Hitler’s second campaign against Russia. I should be glad to know from how you stand in the Caucasus.
      4. All good wishes for your anniversary.

      O.T.P.

   Look at the source

   • Why do you think there is a ‘COPY’ of the telegram in this Cabinet papers collection (CAB 65/28)?
   • Why has Winston Churchill sent this telegram to Joseph Stalin?
   • What does the telegram reveal about the wartime relationship between these two countries in 1942?
   • Can you find out which USA wartime aid policy has Churchill inferred, but not named, in this telegram?
   • Can you explain the historical context for this document? (Clue: Operation Torch; Battle of Stalingrad; situation in Caucasus)
   • What is the value of this telegram to historians?
   • How might a message like this be sent today?
   • Can you explain how technology influences the speed and accuracy of communication?

3. Source 3: Mary Whitehouse to Harold Wilson

   In telegrams the word STOP was frequently used instead of a full stop to end a sentence as each punctuation character cost the same as an entire word. Its use helped to avoid confusion about the meaning of a message that lacked punctuation.

   1. 

      Post Office Telegram
      A240 9.8PM Claverley, BM 92

      Overnight
      The Prime Minister 10 Downing St London

      Someone somewhere has to take responsibility for standards of BBC programmes STOP In spite of the governors accepted obligation to exclude from the earlier part of the evening programmes which might be unsuitable for children Till Death Us Do Part at 7.30 this evening was dirty blasphemous and full of bad language STOP The Postmaster General seems powerless to take action STOP The Director General seems determined to provoke and insult the viewing public STOP Will you take whatever action seems necessary
      Mary Whitehouse

   Look at the source

   • Why has Mary Whitehouse sent this telegram?
   • Find out more about Mary Whitehouse, founder of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association in the 1960s
   • What does this source reveal about television engaging with and reflecting, social issues and prejudices?
   • What is the value of this telegram to historians?
   • What was the role of the Postmaster General at the time?
   • Find out about the role of the BBC Board of Governors and its Charter.

Other resources in this series

Teaching resource

Working with political cartoons as sources

This resource is intended to help students learn how to use cartoons as historical sources, including examples of useful questions to ask when using cartoons.

Teaching resource

Working with Second World War posters as sources

This resource includes various posters produced by the government during the Second World War with questions to help students interrogate them as sources.

Teaching resource

Working with photographs as sources

There are quite a lot of things you need to watch out for when using photographs as sources. Just like documents they must be treated with caution.