TIN CHINA"
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Chapter 21 Of Winston Churchill's Fourth Book Of War Memoirs HOW THE DECISION WAS TAKEN TO INVADE NORTH AFRICA
WRING this month of July, 1942, when I was politically at iny weakest and thout a gleam of success, had to procure from the ited States tho decisión tch, for good or ill, Iminated the next two hrs of the war. This was abandonment of all ns for crossing the Chan- In 1942, and the occupa- French North of
Fica in the autumn or Iter by a large Anglo- herican expedition.
In
British imports of perhaps
230,000 tona. But far more sorious
is the fact that, ac cording to Mountbatten, it we interrupt the training of the troops we should, apert
from the 108S of
craft & delay. "Round ffull-scale Invasion of Europe] or 1943 "Boloro [preparations for the main landing
in France] for at frast two or three months, even ff the enterprise were the troops unsuccessful and had to be withdrawn after a short stay.
Bomber effort
nor
clear the way and maintain the contact with Russia, in Washington neither Gen. Marshall (who urged a land- ing in Europe during 1042) Admiral King (whore eyca toere on the Pacifies favoured the North Africa venture. Mr Roosevelt-de- cided to send both men to London with Mr. Harry Hop- kins to discuss Mr Churchill's recent correspondence with the President.]
Chur American visitors landed at Prestwick on Saturday, July 18, and travelled by train to Hore they went into London. immediate conference with the American Service Chiefs now capital, established in the Elsenhower, Clark, Stark and Spantz. The debate on "Sledge- hammer" was renewed. Opinion anong
American leaders the was still strongly in favour of pressing on exclusively with this
operation. Only the President himself seemed to have been impressed by my for arguments. He had drafted the delegation the most massive and masterty document on war palley that I
the ovent of a lodgment being effected and maintained it would have to be nourish ed, and the bomber effort of Germany would have to
be curtailed. All our w Bre
would be involved in defending the bridgehead The possibility of mounting large-scale operation in 1943
be marred, it would ruined.
our resources Would be absorbed plecemeal on the front which narrow very alone is open. It may
there- fore be said that premature action
1942, while proti- In ably
in ending would decisively injure the MEMORANDUM
had made a careful study mind and the President's
reactions for some time t, and I was sure that he powerfully attracted by North Africa plan. This 1 always been my sim, as s set forth in my papers of tember, 1941. There was by W general agreement on the
that no major An side itish
-Channel operation could place before 1943, but all preparation for mount- in the greatest strength ould continue with the ul- est acal the
moment had come to
y "Sledgehammer" (an at- on Brest and Cherbourg), Alch had been dead some je.
Plainest terms
With the general agreement
all my colleaghres
and the
fets of Star I slatter the Yo with whatever force 1
command and uld
In the
fhent terms in an important egram to the President. rmer Haval Person to Pre- ident
8 July '42. responsible British general, Admiral or air marshal is prepared. to recommend
Sledgehammer"
prac- a prae- ticable
in opemtion
1942. The Chiefs of Staff have reported.
conditions
The
which would make "Sledge-
ก
prise are very unlikely
to occur."
sending
prospect
not
disaster,
his hand.
SILALL
ever saw
War policy
AND
For
from
HON.
of
We should concentrate our
efforts and avoid dispersion. Absolute co-ordinated use
British and American forces in casential.
U.S. and British All available
forces should be brought into action as quickly as they can be profitably used.
It is of the highest importance that U.S. ground troops be brought into action against the enemy In 1942.
Persian route
British and American material
de-
promisca to Russia must be carried out in good faith. If the Persian route of livery is used, preference
be given to raust
combat material. This aid must con- as delivery is Linue as long possible, and Russia must be
termino upon another, place for United States troops to Ugh in 1063
I hope for total agreement within one week of your arrival.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, Commander-in-Chief. *Author's heavy type.
that
I was naturally aware the American war leaders, now
It is my present view of the
world picture that: (a) If Russia contains a large German force against Her, "Round-up" becomes possible gathered in London, atlil had to be convinced that our view WES in 1943. and plans for
Hop practicable one. the only "Round-up" should be
kina came to Chequers over the mod lately considered
week-end, and we went over the divergence · be- informally
ang
Next meeting
was
preparations made for it. (b) If Russia collapses and tween us. On Monday morning, German air and ground July 20, the first meeting with
delegates American released "Round- the forces are up" may be impossible of held in the Cabinet room. fulfilment in 1943. The Middle East should be held as strongly as possible, whether Russia collapses of not. I want you to take into consideration the effect of losing the Middle East, Such loss means in series:
Possibilities
encouraged to continue *C* Loss of sistance. Only complete col- lapse, which seems unthink- able, should alter this deter- mination on our part.
will In regard to 1942, you
carefully. Investigate the par- sibility of executing "3'edge- hammer." Such an operation would
sustain definitely Russla this year. "Sledge- hammer" is of such grave Importance that every reason calls for
it.
of well-organised HARRY L. HOPKINS, GEN. Man- KING: ADML. large-scale action in 1948.
London as my personal You representatives for the
1 am sure myself that French You will proceed immediately
North Africa "Gymnast"] Is
by for the best chance for
effecting relief to the Rus- alan front in 1042. This has nil
in harmony In fact, it idea. commanding Is the true Second Front of 1942. I have con- sulled Cabinet and Defence Committee, and we all agree, Here is the safest and most
can fruitful stroke that delivered this autumn....
along been
with your idea. is your Here
Difficulties
to
pur-
to all
The next meeting was held on the afternoon of July 22, Gen. Marshall opened the discussion by saying that he and his colles- A deadlock gues had reached in their talks with the British Chiefs of and therefore
move
thes
that they wants have to report Egypt and the Suez to the President for Instructions. shared I replied that I fully Canal: loss of Syria: loss of the ardent desire of the Presl- Mosul, oil-welds; logs of the dent and his Service advisers Persian Gulf through attacks to
the enemy in the engage from the north and west, to-
at the greatest possible strength gother with access to all earliest possible moment," but
with the Persian Guf oil; Joining that I felt that
limited We should hands between
disposal, we Germany fotees at our
attempting o jusuided in and Japan and the probable not bo
In 1942, loss of the Indian Ocean; the Sledgehammer th
I pointed to the number very Important probability
In looming possibilities of German occupation at ugly
front of us. There might; for Tunis, Algiers, Morocco, Dakar accomplishment of
and
mans might the cutting or example, be a collapse in Russia,
Germans or the the ferry route through Free- into the Caucasus, or town should strongly urge ima~
and Liberia: serious might beat Gen. Auchinleck and mediate
danger all-out preparations
shipping in occupy the Nile Delta and the the South Atlantic and Suez Canal, or again they might for it, that it be pushed with poon of consultation with the
utmost vigour, and that it bo serious danger to Brazli and establish themselves in North appropriate British authorities
Dot whether or
the whole of the cast contt Africa and West Africa and executed on the conduct of the war.
thereby of South America. Russian
becomes collapse military and naval The
event I Include imminent. have been
in the shove pos- strategic changes
Russian collapse becomes sibilities the use by the Gür- 30 great since Mr Churchill's
probable, "Sledgehammer"
mans of Spain, Portugal, and visit to Washington that it
their territorieg... 10 reach became necessary
not merely advis
The but immediate
imperative. agreement
principal objective of "Sledge- joint operational plans be-
is hammer"
the tween
positive. the Eritish and our-
diversion
German air of selves along two lines:
from the Russian forces Definite plans
fron!. balance of 1042, (b) Tentative plans for
year 1943,
which of course will be subject to change in the light of occurrences in 1942, but which should be Initiated at this time in all cases involving preparation in 1942 far operations In 1943.
bo
(a)
are
becomes
оп
able
for
the
the
In
the
Another place
ve strain on our shipping. tive striput an almost prohibi- Nevertheless, disagreement and Great Britain between America would have far greater consequences than all the above best
therefore will determine the
It was possiblities. methods of holding the Mid- agreed that the American Chiefs to the dle East. These methods in- of Staff should report
elther T clude defnitely both Sending
You
the
Aid
following:
President that the British were (a) not prepared to go ahead with and ask for and ground "Sledgehammer" forces to the Perslan Gulf, to instructions. Syria and to Egypt; (b)
A new operation In Moreo-
co and Algiers intended to
Not surprised
President Roosevelt replied at
drive in against the back once that he was not surprised
of Hommel's amics. at the disappointing outcome of French the London talks. He agreed
Only if you are completely con-
door vinced that "Sledgehammer"
The of Impossible execution
atitudo of reasonable chance
Colonial troops is still in of
Combi," intended its
pur-
"Stedgehammer"" is finally
Besides
We the above studying very hard the possibility of an operation in Northern Norway (known "Jupiter"3, 05,
if this should impracticable, elso- prove sound, sensibic
The dif where in Norway. ficulties are great owing to the danger of shore-based
out The common aim of the United. I aircraft
attack
upon our
Nations must be the defeat of ships. We are having fright-
the Axis Powers. There can- dificulties about the Russian convoys. All the not be compromise on this
point. more is it necessary to try to
They
Chiefs of Staff.
are now
their paper to your taking up of the shipping boing proceeded with
by
is for camouflage purposta, hough
it involves a loss in
fui
IS with serving
pose inform me.
In the Pacific
and definitely out of the pte- I am ture I want you to consider can tho
situation world
na ti exists
at that time, and de-
THE LONDON THEATRE: By BEVERLEY BAXTER, M.P.
Dare-devil Frankie Howerd
Satirises Number
LONDON.
This <row long and Joud nor
10
does he discriminate be the theatre. When the ageing
accomplice at
(the poor thing is 30 FT is a solemn thought applause from the audience, a tween the artists on the stage. Phoebe
irmpersonates an that in these notes to- fact which by this time has no He is their willing, encourage years old)
doubt been reported to the ap- ing
times imaginary ali
niece and goes to the ball to have her revenge on Peter Graves who has been at the wars for ten years, the
day we shall discuss propriate authorities. The and at all levels. jo British musicals which sketch ends with the
arrival
of an American GI who
ve just been presented in thought he would like to bndon. What is more, we Mr Aillee.
see
"You mean the Prime Mials
THE SWEET MISS RAYE piece becomes delightfully gay.
EVERYONE ap- new Ivor ler of England?" The voices of
la informed that Mies cely Courtneidge has hred in
vello musical at
ester preparatory to ncing upon London.
the theatre
And when Peter, fascinated- knows that there is a like all the others by the lively young creature, tells her the chorladies were full of rhythm to audience reaction.
that it is hor Aunt Phoebe he Man- awe. Then they opened the ad- door of No. 10 and shouted:
we give u uphill really loves, then
struggle
surrender better, the
and "HI, Clem! You're wanted.”
Monday night work, Wednesday
16
end on Saturday night people unconditionally to Barric the
Let
- then give credit will laugh or cry at almost carcerer. In fact, the only dint la
it has been so anything. itannia's ahteld is that Ste- where
earned. courageously
The en Williams's excellent, show, Idon City, has been untime spectacle of British comediaus“
The attempts to get rid of Therefore it was with some
the imaginary niece constitute torn from the Adelphi. It daring to do or say something misgivings that I went to the
a classic of sustained gamis in- beyond their, usual rigid mits Phoenix on Monday (hnying served a longer stay...
vention. For from being of anatomy and. exterity missed the opening the previous hored I hated the idea of it Out of the World, at the earns both gratitude and "en- Friday) to ECO Dear Miss
end. I would lladium, - comes »from a long, couragement.
Phoebe, a musical adaptation of coming to op
have liked the plece to go on Journ
Barrie's Quality Street,
and on like the brook-despite Nor wero my misgivings it being on a Monday night. allayed during the first twenty
Carol Frankie Hoerd beads minutes. Miss Mr
AND A COMEDIENNE
at Blackpool and refore has a unity which Is
fective without quite attain-
the level of art. Yet lot
harlen to record that in this
BRINGS SMILES
Rayo
ely hodge-podge there are the bill and deservedly no. He looked sweet and sang sweetly. tually two atkal patches. looks rather
ses in December.
- 196 Potor Miss Olga Lindo seemed wast-
Dear Miss Phoebe is not for the smart set or those wha
be Polladium is no stranger Ustinov and can suggest more ed na the sweet, understanding
burlesque, but satire by Milan comedintis is as rare as humqur than is actually in his older sister, and the music believe that there is no mys
the sweetest mood of words. Even in a singularly was, in ...
unfunny sketch of a holiday Novellofam. Even Peter Graves, tery to women who hide their camp he brings miles to our who grows in authority and wan chocks. Like And Field good looks, was a sweet fellow
on a manly scale. a genuing gift The first is based upon that characterisation and Uko Sld ig established feature of Field he should leave the muck
1. SHINWELL'S HATS
ho has
ost-End life, the alterary to his losper brethren.
ncheon. The audienco --Was Miss Blunio Hale han beck
HIDE THOSE LEGS!
eas
berienth billowing' akkiria, it is for the oublie who found pleasure in Bless the Bride-pi what I am toki, the managem call the Wimbledon public, mi
........
To all must-and. I'am one of How in this discordant, age their number in this cas
The
* quite sure what it was in added to the show but seems could we informat ourselves in, pronike an 'evening of develop quf, and the comedians had a little undecided as to what the twitterings of females who ingchara and deligt
work hard for their laugh, is expected of her. No longer almost swooned a the sight of music of Harry Farr Davies is Tonally I found it a delight-
of an age to play la gamine, a man and, in their refinement, deceptively Innocent even if change from that nordul Daca of Palladium.hu-
she hesitates
between the oko thost: Isha: legs (of) chales? Haluddin, min: Prince: Ifor grande, domé du theatre and Thoủ things may have been. Boompa-a-daleyffrandet. Ivor the lalo and hearty. I hopu nil right in Barrie's time but kuyala in a single "number. io second gatira is even Ivor Brown will forgive me what chance--with-un- had You will loep, your heart to
daring. We are present for, this.
FOR FREEPR acain Carol Bare: you will sco 1, with scene depict is loudest applause of the the amunicipkled
5120a Boulful" understanding."" pm- dag of No. 10 Towing seals went to is Qiler day!
formance. by: Qlow Idudo Hand Olinale Prinz Howen my Grajewo dually found But I **Wandelen, Al man meining now in costume mod.
Barte the hardest
wed, two-bats enters the movement, but
portals" and "Mr. Tackles work was done by the pre
his accomplice that chestra led by the todotathin a
Shinwall, bis MENS
Wool, Phillips.
pyckoned without
in
all
out
that it was no
use continuing
翅
to press for "Sledgehammerton,
the face of British
and instructed his delegation
opposed 10 an Amer to reach a decision with us on effort some operation which would in- volve American ground forces the Pacific against
brought into action being Japan with the view to her against the enemy in 1942. defeat as quickly as possible. It is of the utmost importance that we appreciate that defont
Thus "Sledgehammer" fell by the wayside and "Gymnast came into its own. Marshall of Japan does not defeat
Sing, though naturally dis- Germany, and that American appointed bowed to the decl- concentration against Japan Rion of their Commander-in- this year or in
1943
Increases Chlef and the greatest goodwill the chance of complete Ger between us all again man domination of Europe
I now hasten to rechriste
my
and Africa. On the other favourite. Gymnast" "Super- hand, it is obvious that defeat Gymnast" and "Semi-Gymnast"
hany
or the holding
OK!
our code-words. in 1043 or in 1943 vanished from
Instruction means probable eventual de- On July 24 in an
from me to the Chiefs of
Staff feat of Germany In
Torch"
became the new and European and African theatre Tor and in the Near East. Defeat President cabled"
On July 25 the master term.
to Hopkins
of Germany means the defeat that plans for landings in North of Japan, probably without
Africa to take place "not later firing a shot or losing a ilfe." Please remember three cardinal than October 30" should go principles-speed of decision ahead at once. That evening our on plans, unity of plans, at- friends set off on their fourney tack combined with defence but not defence alone.
This affects the Immediate objec tive of United States ground forces Aghing
against Ger- mans in 1942.
back to Washington.
World Copyright reserved. · Repro-
even partially, in duction, language. strictly prohibited.
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