Allied leaders may meet soon (8-6-43)

1

The Pittsburgh Press (August 6, 1943)

New turn in war –
Allied leaders may meet soon

Roosevelt, Churchill may revise strategy
By William B. Dickinson, United Press staff writer

London, England –
Speculation that President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill may meet shortly prompted suggestions today that a favorable turn in the war had necessitated revision of long-range offensive plans.

Observers believed that there was some basis for reports reaching neutral countries from Germany that the morale of the German people had been badly shaken by three recent events. They were:

  1. The collapse of Fascism which is expected to put Italy out of the war.

  2. The unparalleled air attacks on Hamburg which carry the connotation of fierce blows to come for Berlin and other major German cities.

  3. Russian successes which indicate that the Nazi Army’s power is breaking.

These events caused some observers to suggest the possibility that the war in Europe may end this year.

In addition to military decisions to be made, there are many important political questions which might be discussed. One of the most interesting would be the question of what treatment should be given to German satellites such as Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania, already reported to be seeking ways of getting out of the war.

In this connection, there is considerable speculation on whether Russia is to be included in any forthcoming discussions. Observers agreed that the time has come when it is most important for all Allies directly interested in the European situation – Great Britain, Russia and the United States – to reach basic decisions on policy toward the minor Axis nations likely to desert the sinking ship.

This applies especially to the Balkans, but in a lesser degree to Italy also.

Events have moved faster than their schedule since the Roosevelt-Churchill meeting in May and the time appears ripe to bring Allied plans up to date.

Stalin not expected

While both the President and Mr. Churchill would like Premier Joseph Stalin to sit in with them, it was believed unlikely that the Soviet chieftain would be able to leave Russia, where he is directing growing Soviet offensives on the Eastern Front.

The London Daily Mail reported in a New York dispatch that the swift succession of Allied victories in Sicily and Russia has created new opportunities, and that Messrs. Roosevelt and Churchill may confer again to “put finishing touches to plans for new assaults on the European fortress.”

British military observers believed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Mediterranean forces will follow up their conquest of Sicily quickly with an invasion of the Italian mainland designed to hasten Italy’s elimination.

1 Like
2

Observers believed that there was some basis for reports reaching neutral countries from Germany that the morale of the German people had been badly shaken by three recent events. They were:

  1. The collapse of Fascism which is expected to put Italy out of the war.
  2. The unparalleled air attacks on Hamburg which carry the connotation of fierce blows to come for Berlin and other major German cities.
  3. Russian successes which indicate that the Nazi Army’s power is breaking.

These events caused some observers to suggest the possibility that the war in Europe may end this year.

War is ugly and the Allies have worked to end the Nazi and Axis aggression and murder of millions of people by thier leaders and peoples.

2 Likes