The First Summit: Roosevelt and Churchill at Placentia Bay, 1941: Revised Edition Paperback – July 23, 1991

This is a true adventure story. During the cataclysmic days of World War II, soon after the German onslaught in the Soviet Union, the two leaders of the worlds' major democracies met at sea in the Atlantic - where German U-boats were sinking much needed supplies of convoys to England. This meeting, of quite possibly the two foremost dynamic leaders of the twentieth century, is well portrayed by Theodore Wilson.

The required secrecy and the thrill of the rendezvous off the barren coast of Newfoundland are well depicted. This was the first time these two leaders, Churchill and Roosevelt met (excepting a brief meeting after World War I when they were in entirely different positions) - so it was fraught with the emotions of how they were to take the measure of each other. It was essential for the future of humanity that both leaders establish a cordial and working relationship.

Much was discussed on the ships from the two nations - supplies and armaments to England and the Soviet Union, increasing U.S. support of convoys, relations with the ever expanding empire of Japan... When the "cat was out of the hat" and the secret meeting was revealed in England there was a letdown because it was thought and hoped for that the U.S. was to actively join the battlefield. Such was not to be the case. Also, as the author demonstrates, the U.S. war footing was still in the vestigial stages (in fact the U.S. was not to be drawn in until some months later when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor). The expectation of the amounts to be supplied was far less than the reality of what was available. The most lasting impact of the conference was the making of the "Atlantic Charter" which gave the world an alternative to the menacing, brutal, and expansionist regimes of Germany and Japan. It also served as a blueprint for the future United Nations.

The author describes as well the last minute decision of Roosevelt's aid, Harry Hopkins, to take a trip to the war-torn Soviet Union in order to gather information for the Atlantic meeting. This is an ably written book that captures this troubled era where the future of mankind was looking very grim and depended on the fortitude of the worlds' democracies.

This book tells the story of the first meeting ever between Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt. It took place from 8 to 11 August 1941 on board of two powerful warships anchored in Placentia Bay in Canada.

The meeting was organised in the greatest secret and only a handful of closest collaborators of both men knew about it. The absence of American president in Washington was officially explained as a short summer vacation and indeed, Roosevelt first boarded the presidential yacht - but later, at night and far from shore, he transferred to the heavy cruiser USS "Augusta". Churchill, who was the leader of a nation at war, could organize his departure easier, as British medias were by then used to wartime secrecy and censorship - therefore him leaving to an unknown location on board of the powerful, ultramodern battleship HMS "Prince of Wales" went first almost completely unnoticed.

The agenda was very long and filled only with items of utmost importance and on most of them two great leaders could agree easily, leaving details to be hammered out by their collaborators. But there was ONE issue on which they could only disagree, because their interests were fundamentaly different - the attitude to adopt towards Japan.

Churchill knew that British Empire was in 1941 at its most vulnerable moment in all its history - if Japan entered war, Hong Kong, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei protectorate and some of Pacific islands were doomed and even Singapour and Burma were greatly threatened. With British resources stretched already impossibly thin, Churchill knew, that he couldn't do much to reinforce those Far East positions and in the most nightmarish scenario even India could be lost, if local nationalists decided to ally with the Japanese and cause a massive uprising. Churchill's only hope to avoid such a disaster was that Washington warns Tokyo clearly and very strongly that any attack against British possessions will mean full scale war with United States.

Roosevelt knew the situation as well as Churchill, but his strategic interests were different. American president knew, that his country HAD TO enter war against Axis powers before Great Britain and Soviet Union are defeated, because then America would be condemned to suffer the isolation on its part of the planet, when the rest of the world was divided between victorious fascist powers. But an OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of Americans (75%!) were visceraly opposed to war and the Congress simply would not go against the will of the citizens. Therefore, the only possible way for United States to enter the conflict was an open enemy attack against American territory and/or armed forces. Considering that Germany and Italy would not opely attack United States, Roosevelt's "only hope" was with the Japanese. The embargo on oil and iron trade with Japan imposed by United States, United Kingdom and Netherlands since 1940 was slowly pushing Tokyo to start the war and therefore played into Roosevelt's hands. But in this context, giving any strong warnings to Japanese could only strengthen the peace fraction in Japanese regime - and therefore it was definitely not in Roosevelt's interest.

This is only one of the passionating topics described in this most excellent book. It also describes quite colorfully the mutual cultural shock between British and American sailors, the former already waging a full scale war since two years when the latter were enjoying a comfortable life in time of peace. The food shortages in United Kingdom had a great impact on this visit, with all British sailors who could do it going for breakfast and lunch to American ship, to simply eat abundant high quality food which disappeared from the menu in Great Britain since 1939. But for the dinner American sailors would come visit the British in great numbers, because on British ships it is permitted to serve alcohol - something which is absolute anathema in US Navy! Also, on the way back home Churchill had some mercy and made a stop in Iceland, officially to inspect the tiny British force stationig there - but in the same time his ministers and all other able bodied Englishmen ran to shops in Reykjavik to buy salted butter, cheese, sausage and other delicacies strictly rationed in UK!

There is a very touching passage towards the end of the book, when author reminds that HMS "Prince of Wales" was sunk by Japanese aviation at the battle of Kuantan, the 10 December 1941. Captain John Leach and 326 other officers, NCOs and sailors were killed in action this day - most of them the same people who were raiding USS "Augusta" mess for eggs and ham during those summer days, only four months earlier...

Bottom line, this is a very well written and extremely interesting account of a major, albeit little known, episode of World War II. Although quite familiar with this period of history, I learned A LOT and I also had tons of fun reading it. A must for any Worlds War II history buff! Enjoy!