WW 2 History Club

1. WW 2 History Club “Keep the British Isles Afloat” “Arsenal of Democracy” 833 Days 26 - Dec - 2012 “All Aid Short of War” “Keep out of foreign wars”

2. Today’s Goal • Introduce you to some of the less famous individuals who were not military but had as much influence on what eventually happened as any general • Interest in similar sessions in the future? • Focus Group? • WWII Book Club?

3. The Big Three For most people, “the big three” of WWII refer to • Churchill • Roosevelt • Stalin • But who made it happen?

4. The Few In one of his most famous speeches, Churchill stated: “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few” Who are “the few”? Are you sure?

5. 833 Days 1-Sep-1939: WWII starts 8-Dec-1941: US declares war on Japan 12-Dec-1941: Germany declares war on US 8-May-1945: VE Day European War lasted 2076 days US was not a true belligerent for first 833 days

6. Britain Stands Alone • Seeds of WWII go back decades • European War started in Sep 1939 • Fall of Poland • Phony War • Fall of Norway and Denmark • May 1940 breakout • “The Battle of France is Over …”

7. Britain Stands Alone • “ … the Battle of Britain is about to begin …” • Britain is the size of Colorado • British army was trampled by Germans • Britain is low of food, men, arms, … • How could Britain stand up to Hitler?

8. Britain Stands Alone • Germany is 80 million + • Britain Empire is 500 million • British Empire: 50 divisions • Germany: 250 divisions (half were crack combat divisions) “Never before in history have so few brought so much suffering to so many”

9. US Isolationism • Memories of WWI • Stay out of European conflicts • Vast majority of Americans against any involvement (various reasons) • FDR had to be careful • What was his strategy? • Why was it so important to stay out of the war?

10. Video • Perspective on Greatness: The Price of Peace • 1952 Documentary Series • Approx 30 minutes

11. What Happened? • Why did Americans change their mind about “the European War” • How did the US figure out what the UK really needed? • How did Lend-Lease go from an idea to action? • How were the many differences between the US and the UK mitigated?

12. What Happened? • Why did FDR and Churchill wait so long to meet? • How could these monstrous egos get along? • Churchill was known for decisiveness and quick action; FDR for vacillation and endless delays • How could they work cooperatively?

13. What Happened? • 4 Americans changed history • 4 Americans backed Britain and supported aide to Britain against huge opposition • 4 Americans convinced FDR (and the US public) that Britain would not surrender • 4 Americans mitigated the problems of culture and alliance

14. 4 Americans • Edward R. Murrow • Harry Hopkins • John Winant • W. Averell Harriman Who were these men and how did they change history?

15. Edward R. Murrow • Minimal training as a newspaperman • Pioneer in radio broadcast • Director of CBS Talks & Education in 1935 • Went to London in 1937 • Covered “the events” live: revolutionary approach • Anschluss • Sudetenland, Munich, … • Built huge following for “radio news”

16. Edward R. Murrow • World News Roundup (CBS radio) • “This is London” • Trusted source of news • Close relationship with Churchill • Offered director-general of BBC • Closer relationship with Pamela Churchill For many Americans, Murrow’s broadcasts were a trusted source of “unbiased”, up-to-the minute, news

17. Edward R. Murrow • Murrow Boys .. “The finest news staff ever assembled”: • Eric Sevareid • Charles Collingwood • Howard K. Smith • William Shirer • Mary Marvin Breckinridge • Cecil Brown • Richard C. Hottelet • Bill Downs • Winston Burdett • Charles Shaw • Ned Calmer

18. Edward R Murrow & the Power of Radio • We tend to forget that radio was “the media” of the 1930s and 1940s • Everyone listened to radio • Radio was often more powerful than images because with radio you could imagine … “the theater of the mind”

19. Edward R Murrow & the Power of Radio • Let’s listen to some radio from the 1930s • “I can hear it now” (1933 – 1945) • Trafalgar Square 24Aug’40 • “Good Luck” Dec 1940 • “This is London” 1942

20. Harry Hopkins • FDR’s chief advisor on many topics (2nd most powerful man in Washington) • Directed WPA, largest employer in the country • Managed the distribution of $ billions • Friend and confidant of FDR • Lived at the White House for 3+ years • One of FDR’s “confidential agents” – “eyes & ears” • More influential than the State Department • “Now Harry, get that goddamn thing done. And Harry would have it done in two hours”

21. Harry Hopkins • Secy of Commerce • Special mission to UK in early 1941 to “get the facts” • Developed exceptionally good relationship with Churchill; impressed by his decisiveness and quick action • “Lord of Root of the Matter” • Returned with a good understanding of Churchill, UK • Convinced that UK would weather the storm • Overall director of Lend Lease; wanted Harriman in UK • Arranged for Placentia Bay meeting • Visited Stalin (Jul’41); convinced FDR to include USSR in LL

22. US Position on Aid • Neutrality Act of 1935 • general embargo for 6 months • Neutrality Act of 1936 • extended 14 months, no loans • Neutrality Act of 1937 • no time limit; civil wars too; • modest “cash & carry” provision • Neutrality Act of 1939 • Initially restored embargo • Later repealed Acts of 1936 and 1937: • “Cash & Carry”

23. US Position on Aid • Cash & Carry … Sep/Nov -1939 • All belligerent nations; UK preference • War zones declared • National Munitions Control Board • Federal crime: Arms trading w/o license (still in effect)

24. US Position on Aid • 1940: • Britain stands alone • Britain running out of $ • US public in favor of “some help” • Destroyers for Bases (US acted faster) • 17 Dec: The Garden Hose speech • 29 Dec: Arsenal of Democracy Speech

25. US Aid to Allies • 1941: • Britain truly desperate • Battle of the Atlantic • 75% of US public in favor of Lend-Lease • March  Britain • April  China • October  Soviet Union

26. Joseph Kennedy • Interesting past • US Ambassador to UK 27Jan’38 – 22Oct’40 (critical time?) • Aligned with Chamberlain / appeasement • Vocal about Britain falling • Thought Germany was too strong • Encouraged FDR to write off Britain • Encouraged Americans to get out of UK

27. The Mess • For 175 years … • Churchill and UK tired of US “talk” • UK Belief: US was taking advantage of UK • Halifax had to tone down Churchill’s correspondence • Churchill: “Give us the tools …” • FDR: not much use for JPK or State Dept

28. John Winant • Hero was Abe Lincoln • Reserved and “awkward”; not a great speaker • Idealist to the point of political suicide • Worked 24/7 but not a good administrator • Progressive Republican; 2 term governor of NH • More progressive than FDR? • US rep to International Labor Organization – 1935 (FDR ploy?) • Social Security Administration Commissioner – 1935 - 1936 • Back to ILO in 1937; director of ILO by 1939

29. John Winant • Travelled extensively in Europe during run up to war • Well known in UK • Appointed Ambassador to UK in Jan, 1941 • FDR need someone to clean up the mess exacerbated by Kennedy • UK reaction was jubilant • “I'm very glad to be here. There is no place I'd rather be at this time than in England.” • “Here You Shall Not Pass” • Close relationship with Churchill and British government, particularly Foreign Office and Anthony Eden. Part of Churchill’s extended family

30. John Winant • Often explained “the basics” to support Churchill • Embassy staff operated as a team • “… complete confidence and respect that your Ambassador has won from all classes of people in England. He will become, I believe, before he leaves, the most beloved American who has ever been in England” • Frustrated (as were others) with FDR’s waffling • Did FDR not want the responsibility of an overt act? • “What America requires is not propaganda but the facts” • “We have all slept … we have all tried … we are now beginning … • Every day we delay …

31. W. Averell Harriman • Son of railroad (robber) baron • The right schools: Groton, Yale (Skull & Bones) • Social links with FDR but completely different personalities • Intensely pragmatic • Banking, Union Pacific and other RR interests, Shipping, horse racing interests; polo player • Travelled extensively in Europe brokering deals • Enjoyed meeting and befriending powerful people • Switched from Republican to Democratic parties in 1928 • Recognized shift of power from Wall Street to Washington

32. W. Averell Harriman • On the fringes of the New Deal • Wanted more important position on FDR’s team • Revive American business • Positions in NRA, Natl Industrial Recovery, Natl Advisory Council, Office of Production Mgmt • Not involved in early mobilization planning • Internationalist and interventionist • When Hopkins returned from UK (early ’41), he specifically requested Harriman as the UK side of Lend-Lease • FDR: “I want you to go over to London and recommend everything that we can do, short of war, to keep the British Isles afloat.”

33. W. Averell Harriman • “Defense Expeditor” • “The great thing about Averell was that everything he did, he did bloody well.” • FDR provided few specifics; OK by Harriman • Custodian of “the relationship” Hopkins had initiated • US military: not much value in sending scarce equipment unless UK had bases, men, … • US military: are we to be a warehouse for the British or a fighting partner? • Key Goal: get more information to convince US military

34. W. Averell Harriman • Felt optimistic with Hopkins in charge • Developed relationship with Churchill on a par with Hopkin’s … the American member • Even closer relationship with Churchill’s daughter-in-law, Pamela • Quickly settled in to the job • Excellent liaison with Winant’s office • Coordinated the mess of special missions • Experience with railroads and shipping • Battle of the Atlantic Two impatient men, an ocean apart, linking up and working with each other to save Britain

35. W. Averell Harriman • Placentia Bay participant • Mission to USSR (follow up to Hopkins) to negotiate details of Lend-Lease to USSR • Churchill’s “efficiency expert”; trip to Egypt • Quite critical of FDR’s waffling … “I have made my decision …” • Better understanding of British capability (pre Barbarossa) • Would fight to the finish • But not capable of finishing it • Direct American intervention would be required.

36. FDR Signs Lend Lease

37. Lend Lease • Lend-Lease was a critical factor in the eventual success of the Allies in World War II. • In 1943–1944, about a quarter of all British munitions came through Lend-Lease. • Aircraft (in particular transport aircraft) comprised about a quarter of the shipments to Britain, followed by food, land vehicles and ships.

38. Lend Lease • Even after the United States forces in Europe and the Pacific began to reach full strength in 1943–1944, Lend-Lease continued. • Most remaining allies were largely self-sufficient in front line equipment (such as tanks and fighter aircraft) by this stage, Lend-Lease logistical supplies (including motor vehicles and railroad equipment) were of enormous assistance.

39. Lend Lease • Much of the aid can be better understood when considering the economic distortions caused by the war. • Most belligerent powers cut back severely on production of non-essentials, concentrating on producing weapons. • This inevitably produced shortages of related products needed by the military or as part of the military-industrial complex or essential non-military goods.

40. Lend Lease • The USSR was highly dependent on rail transportation, but the war practically shut down rail equipment production: only about 92 locomotives were produced. 2,000 locomotives and 11,000 railcars were supplied under Lend-Lease. • Likewise, the Soviet air force received 18,700 aircraft, which amounted to about 14% of Soviet aircraft production (19% for military aircraft).

41. Lend Lease • Although most Red Army tank units were equipped with Soviet-built tanks, their logistical support was provided by hundreds of thousands of U.S.-made trucks. • By 1945 nearly two-thirds of the truck strength of the Red Army was U.S.-built. Trucks such as the Dodge 3/4 ton and Studebaker 2½ ton, were easily the best trucks available in their class on either side on the Eastern Front. • American shipments of telephone cable, aluminum, canned rations, and clothing were also critical.

42. Lend Lease • Hopkins on one end and Harriman on the other • Two focused and impatient men • Understood that ultimately it is the total system that must work: war material, support material, transportation, spare parts, people, training,… , LOGISTICS!

43. Economics

44. Harriman’s Businesses • Harriman was a true “tycoon” and had extensive business interests (full and partial ownership) • Banking (Brown Bros Harriman, Guaranty Trust, Union Banking, …) • Railroads (Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, Illinois Central, • Shipping (Holland American, Pacific Mail, US Lines, …), • Racing stables • Other transportation (Wells Fargo,

45. Harriman’s Businesses • Harriman’s bank was main Wall Street connection for German companies • Not illegal until Hitler declared war on US and “Trading With The Enemy” Act was passed • In Oct ’42 several of Harriman’s companies were seized: • Union Banking Corporation (UBC) (from Thyssen and Brown Brothers Harriman). • Holland-American Trading Corporation (from Harriman) • the Seamless Steel Equipment Corporation (from Harriman) • Silesian-American Corporation

46. Pamela Churchill • Originally married to Randolph (WSC’s son) • Affair with Harriman • Affair with Murrow • Affairs with … • Post WWII: affairs with major players on the continent • Widow in 1971 when she met Harriman at a party • Married Harriman two months later • Washington hostess • US ambassador to France under Clinton

47. Further Reading • “To Keep The British Isles Afloat” • Thomas Parrish • Focus is Hopkins and Harriman • “Citizens of London” • Lynn Olson • Focus is Harriman, Murrow, Winant • “The Murrow Boys” • Lynn Olson

48. Questions • Was Britain as bad off as they claimed in late 1940 and early 1941? • What was the threat of invasion then? • Would tools and such be enough? • What else did Churchill really want? • What was FDR’s real strategy? • What impact did Murrow and his boys have? • Did these men make history or did history make these men?