Roosevelt-Churchill meeting, evening
| Present | ||
|---|---|---|
| United States | United Kingdom | |
| President Roosevelt | Prime Minister Churchill |
The meeting was given over to a prolonged consideration of several drafts of a message to Stalin on the results of the conference. Finally, at 2 a.m., it was agreed that Churchill would take the draft message with him and work on it during his flight to Newfoundland en route to Africa. Marshall appeared at the meeting and was persuaded to accompany Churchill on his flight and help prepare the draft message to Stalin.
Draft Message from President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill to Marshal Stalin
Washington, May 25, 1943. SecretUpon the conclusion of the conferences which we have been holding in Washington with our combined military staffs, we think it proper that the following comprehensive report concerning our decisions should be sent to you.
Throughout our conferences full recognition was given to the most important part which the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is playing in the defeat of the European Axis Powers. Nearly all of the decisions enumerated below were made only after they had been measured against the yardstick of their aid to your country’s war effort. Briefly, our decisions may be summarized as follows:
Overall objective
In conjunction with Russia and other allies to bring about at the earliest possible date, the unconditional surrender of the Axis Powers.
Overall strategic concept for the prosecution of the war
a. In cooperation with Russia and other allies to bring about at the earliest possible date, the unconditional surrender of the Axis in Europe.
b. Simultaneously, in cooperation with other Pacific Powers concerned, to maintain and extend unremitting pressure against Japan with the purpose of continually reducing her Military power and attaining positions from which her ultimate surrender can be forced. The effect of any such extension on the overall objective to be given consideration by the Combined Chiefs of Staff before action is taken.
c. Upon the defeat of the Axis in Europe, in cooperation with other Pacific Powers, to direct the full resources of the United States and Great Britain to bring about at the earliest possible date the unconditional surrender of Japan.
Basic undertakings in support of overall strategic concept
a. Maintain vital overseas lines of communication, with particular emphasis on the defeat of the U–boat menace.
b. Intensify the air offensive against the Axis Powers in Europe.
c. Concentrate maximum resources in a selected area as early as practicable for the purpose of conducting a decisive invasion of the Axis citadel.
d. Undertake such measures as may be necessary and practicable to aid the war effort of Russia.
e. To prepare the French Forces in Africa to fulfill an active role in the war against the Axis Powers.
Specific operations for 1943-44 in execution of overall strategic concept
a. Certain detailed operations were decided upon to combat the U-boat menace. These operations, we feel certain, will enable us to increase our capacity to transport troops and supplies to active theaters and to our allies.
b. COMBINED BOMBER OFFENSIVE.
We have approved a plan to accomplish, by a combined U.S.-British air offensive, the progressive destruction and dislocation of the German Military, industrial, and economic system, and the undermining of the morale of the German people to a point where their capacity for armed resistance is fatally weakened.The plan will be accomplished in four phases between now and 1 April 1944. In each successive phase our increased strength will allow a deeper penetration into enemy territory. An intermediate objective of particular importance is the continuing reduction of German fighter strength.
c. CROSS-CHANNEL OPERATIONS.
We have resolved: That forces and equipment shall be established in the United Kingdom with the object of mounting a large-scale operation with target date 1 May 1944 to secure a lodgment on the Continent from which further offensive operations can be carried out. French forces from North Africa may be represented in the initial assault or in the immediate build-up.The expansion of logistical facilities in the United Kingdom will be undertaken immediately, and after the initial assault the seizure and development of Continental ports will be expedited in order that the buildup forces may be augmented by follow-up shipments from the United States and elsewhere of additional divisions and supporting units at the fastest possible rate.
Meanwhile preparations will be continuously kept up to date to take advantage of a collapse in France or, alternatively, for the occupation of Norway in case of a German withdrawal.
d. OPERATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.
We have resolved to conduct such operations in exploitation of the forthcoming operation, of which you are aware, as are best calculated to eliminate Italy from the war and to contain the maximum number of German forces. Alternative plans are to be prepared at once. Specific operations will be determined upon in the light of the situation developing from the coming operations. The Allied Commander in Chief in North Africa may use for these operations all those forces available in the Mediterranean Area except for four American and three British divisions which will be held in readiness from 1 November onward for withdrawal to take part in operations from the United Kingdom.e. OPERATIONS FOR THE DEFEAT OF JAPAN.
Our plans also provide for extensive operations against Japan in the Far Eastern and Pacific Theaters. While these operations will, of necessity, have repercussions on our efforts in the European Theater, they are within the scope of the overall strategic concept for the prosecution of the war as set forth above.Availability of resources to meet the requirements of our specific undertakings
After full and careful examination, we have found that the above operations utilize our resources to the full. It has been our earnest desire to make the utmost use of our resources wherever they can be brought to bear upon the enemy and we believe that our object has been fulfilled in the statement of operations as set out above.
It appears likely that it was also at this meeting that Roosevelt and Churchill agreed on the resumption of the exchange of information between the United States and the United Kingdom on the atomic bomb project. Churchill received messages from London during the Conference regarding the increased urgency of restored American-British collaboration in this field.
At this meeting Roosevelt and Churchill also apparently sought to perfect a draft joint statement or final conference communiqué.
Draft Joint Statement by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill
Washington, May 25, 1943.There has been a complete meeting of minds on:
A. The war in the Pacific from the Aleutians to Australia
B. The war in China – southern Asia
C. War in the Near East
D. War in all parts of the Mediterranean
E. War in the Atlantic N.-SouthAll related to each other in regard to transportation.
After successful completion of N. African campaign one phase of the Casablanca plans was completed and the next phase was initiated.
The need of a further staff conference was therefore clear in order to take up further steps. And the C. C. of S. has agreed on further steps in the overall planning.
It is important to state that these further steps included every theatre of the war.
This phase of the conduct of war affairs [is?] in a more satisfactory condition than when the C. C. of S. met in Casablanca.
This integrated with anti-submarine campaign which is showing greater success last month.
The Pres, the Prime Minister and the staffs also discussed in greater detail the temporary civil–military organization to be put into effect when and as Nazi, Fascist or Jap occupied territories are freed.
Draft Joint Statement by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill
Washington, May 25, 1943.The complete destruction of the Nazi Afrika Korps and their Italian allies in North Africa completed one phase of the military decisions made at Casablanca. Progress on other operations, determined at that time, are proceeding satisfactorily. Aggressive warfare, however, requires a constant implementation of strategy, based upon military events. Further operations, in addition to those determined upon at Casablanca, must be set afoot. Therefore, the President and the Prime Minister decided to meet again with their Chiefs of Staff.
They have agreed on further steps to be taken in the overall planning of a global war. It is important to state that the operations which have been agreed to include every theater of war all over the world.
There has been a complete meeting of minds on:
a) The war in the Pacific from the Aleutians to Australia
b) The war in China and Southern Asia
c) The war in the Near East
d) The war in all parts of the Mediterranean
e) The war in the North and South Atlantic
f) The war in EuropeAll of these plans are related to each other in regard to shipping, air support and the command of the seas by our navies.
The state of the war at this time is in a far more satisfactory condition than when the Chiefs of Staff met with the President and the Prime Minister in Casablanca. The unrelenting anti U-boat campaign is prospering, with the result that there are far more merchant ships available than had been anticipated.
The vast production of war materials assures the United Nations of weapons with which to destroy the enemy.
The President and the Prime Minister also discussed with the Chiefs of Staff the temporary civil and military organizations to be put in effect when and as Nazi, Fascist or Japanese occupied territories are freed.
A complete report of the conference has been sent to Stalin and the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek.