The Story of 150 Staging Post and the Airlift to the Yalta Conference February 1945: A truly singular Second World War album belonging to, and compiled by, R.A.F. Group Captain Walter J. Pickard, containing meticulously captioned photographs and mementos of his work flying VIPs during the 1945 Yalta Conference, a number of “Secret” docu

Saki, Crimea, U.S.S.R.: Privately compiled, 1945. Album. This singular and compelling Second World War album was painstakingly compiled, decorated, and annotated by Royal Air Force Group Captain Walter J. Pickard. Full of mementos, documents, and photographs, the album chronicles the staging, preparation, and flights which conveyed Winston Churchill, as well as other British and American delegates, to the Yalta Conference in 1945, earning Pickard the accolades of his commanders, the appreciation of his Prime Minister, and the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.).

Not least among the album’s contents is the dated inscription of Winston S. Churchill and signed correspondence from Churchill’s private secretary confirming that Churchill personally received, examined, and inscribed this album, and conveying Churchill’s appreciation to Pickard.

The album is 100 numbered pages, bound in leather-covered boards with a hand-labeled title “Saki” affixed diagonally on the front cover. “Saki” refers to the Crimean airbase, built by the Soviets in the 1930s, that served as the landing point for the aircraft bearing Churchill, Roosevelt, and the rest of the British and American delegations to the Conference.

The boards show wear to extremities and the leather-covered spine is gone. The boards and contents nonetheless remain tenuously connected, the mull and overall binding structure quite fragile but still holding. The binding has done its job of preserving the treasure trove within; the contents are generally clean, only lightly toned with scattered stains and occasional creasing, and appear complete, as originally compiled.

The contents of the album include the following:

- A September 9, 1947 typed letter signed by Winston Churchill’s Private Secretary addressed to Pickard acknowledging that Pickard sent the album to Churchill, expressing Churchill’s thanks, and confirming that Churchill inscribed the album, which was returned with the letter.

- Pickard’s title page in elaborate, multi-hued calligraphy: “The Story of 150 Staging Post and the Airlift to the Yalta Conference February 1945.”

- Personnel list of those under the command of Group Captain W. J. Pickard.

- 10 typed pages, marked “SECRET”, comprising Pickard’s detailed “REPORT ON OPERATION ‘ARGONAUT’”, dated “26th February, 1945” and signed by Pickard.

- Five letters of appreciation from senior military commanders, including letters signed by U.S. Brigadier General James S. Stowell and General Lord Hastings Lionel "Pug" Ismay.

- “TOP SECRET CYPHER MESSAGE” of “24th JANUARY” from “150 STAGING POST” to “TRANSPORT COMMAND” that, according to Pickard’s elaborate calligraphy annotation, “nearly stopped the Conference”.

- 50 photographs from the conference, 13 featuring Churchill, Roosevelt, or both.

- Seven currency notes, including Soviet, American, and Greek, five signed by a bevy of people, including pilots.

- A “TOP SECRET – MOST URGENT” typed “1st February 1945” letter signed by Air Commodore Whitney Straight to Group Captain Pickard conveying the “Flight Plan” and “Passenger Lists”, as well as the fighter escort and other details, for transport of VIPs to the Yalta Conference.

- The “Friday, February 16th, 1945” farewell dinner menu, signed on the blank verso by the members of Pickard’s command.

- Pickard’s original Yalta Conference passes – both British Delegation and Soviet.

- A contemporary Observer clipping that specifically refers to this, Pickard’s “remarkable autograph book…”

- A “24th January” 1945 typed and hand-annotated “TOP SECRET CYPHER MESSAGE” from Pickard regarding critical communication and transport difficulties preceding the Conference.

This album, with all of its annotations and embellishments, has the look and feel of both military precision and treasured story book – the adult manifestation of a seasoned commander and pilot recording his actual experience of every lad’s dream to fly, to dare, and to overcome.

Please note that additional images and a considerably more comprehensive description are available upon request.