Cross-Channel Invasion

The Soviet Issue

When FDR recieved what he believed was British agreement to the principle of a cross-channel invasion in 1942 it allowed him to bring up the matter with the Soviets. He wrote to Stalin on April 11, 1942 to ask if he could discuss "a very important military proposal" with Soviet Foriegn Minister Molotov and a Soviet General. Stalin agreed to send Molotov to both London and Washington. FDR wanted Molotov to come to the U.S. first, but he went to visit London instead. In the discussions that Churchill conducted with Molotov, he expressed British reluctance to mount an invasion of Western Europe in part due to a lack of landing craft. Churchill argued that mounting an invasion that would not be entirely effective would be disaster for the U.S. and Britain. Upon the conclusion of thier discussion, Churchill and Molotov signed a treaty. FDR requested that Churchill send him a summary of thier discussion regarding Bolero (buildup before the invasion) so that he could be prepared for his own talks with the Soviet Foriegn Minister. In sending the summary, Churchill revealed the British apprehension regarding the cross-channed invasion that had not been previously discussed. Churchill also sent Lord Mountbatten to meet with FDR in order to "explain the difficulties of 1942." FDR's talks with Molotov were conducted between May 29 and June 1 1942. Molotov agreed with the idea that a strong attack in 1943 was better than a risky one in 1942. FDR was determined to see the second front open in 1942, he originally wanted to set the date at August of 1942, but agreed to leave the date more flexible. (14)

Russian Premier Stalin talks with gestures
to his Foreign Minister Molotov at the
Palace, Yalta, Crimea, Russia.
(NLR-PHOCO-48223659(48)) from Nail Database

This was certainly a period of strained relations between FDR and Churchill's personal relationship. The "lack of candor" that had occured between the U.S. and the British during the Hopkins-Marshall talks was leading to strong consequences regarding the Soviets and the opening of a second front in Western Europe. FDR's meetings with Mountbatten were characterized by FDR's desire for action. He wanted to see U.S. forces engaged in battle as soon as possible. He also wanted Churchill to be reminded of the agreement for a "sacrifice landing" in France in the case of the weakening of the Soviets. FDR was worried about sending a large number of American troops to England where they would be stuck in the case of a Russian collapse. The fall of the Soviets would make the attack in France impossible. FDR wanted to help Russia and domestic morale by getting American troops into the war as soon as possible. Churchill, on the other hand, wanted to put off the cross channel invasion until the force would be strong enough to remain in France and until the Germans encountered another demoralizing loss from the Russians. (15)

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