The Grand Alliance, 1950

The Second World War #3

by Winston S. Churchill

The British, Soviets, and Americans unite in this chapter of the six-volume WWII history by the legendary prime minister and Nobel Prize recipient.
 
The Grand Alliance describes the end of an extraordinary period in British military history, in which Britain stood alone against Germany. Two crucial events brought an end to Britain’s isolation. First was Hitler’s decision to attack the Soviet Union, opening up a battle front in the East and forcing Stalin to look to the British for support. The second was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. US support had long been crucial to the British war effort, and here, Winston Churchill documents his efforts to draw the Americans to aid, including correspondence with President Roosevelt.
 
This book is part of the six-volume account of World War II told from the unique viewpoint of a British prime minister who led his nation in the fight against tyranny. In addition to the correspondence with FDR, the series is enriched with extensive primary sources. We are presented with not only Churchill’s retrospective analysis of the war, but also memos, letters, orders, speeches, and telegrams, day-by-day accounts of reactions as the drama intensifies. Throughout these volumes, we listen as strategies and counterstrategies unfold in response to Hitler’s conquest of Europe, planned invasion of England, and assault on Russia, in a mesmerizing account of the crucial decisions made as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
 
“A masterly piece of historical writing . . . complete with humor and wit.” —The New Yorker

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Military Fiction, Military History, Biography

924 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, politician and writer, as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and from 1951 to 1955 led Great Britain, published several works, including The Second World War from 1948 to 1953, and then won the Nobel Prize for literature.

William Maxwell Aitken, first baron Beaverbrook, held many cabinet positions during the 1940s as a confidant of Churchill.

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (Can), served the United Kingdom again. A noted statesman, orator and strategist, Churchill also served as an officer in the Army. This prolific author "for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values."

Out of respect for Winston_Churchill, the well-known American author, Winston S. Churchill offered to use his middle initial as an author.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston...

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third volume of Churchill's history of World War II is a terrific example of how pragmatic you need to be in politics. It's not much use complaining that people are evil. You have to think about the lesser of two evils, and choose that one. Here, Britain and the US are fighting Nazi Germany and Japan. Germany was previously allied with the Soviet Union, but then miscalculated and attacked them. So, by default, Britain was allied with the Soviet Union, whom it had just previously considered to be the enemy. I presume that this is one of the things Orwell is referring to in 1984, when the alliances suddenly switch over, and people are told that the country which only yesterday they were at war with has always been their friend.

Churchill was a brilliant politician, and he was willing to do a great deal to defeat Hitler. He saw a Nazi victory as being just about the worst possible thing that could happen, and his judgment does indeed seem to have been spot on. So he tried very hard to help the Soviet Union, despite the fact that he hated their political system, and regarded it as only a little better than Nazism. He sent out British ships on the route to Murmansk, which was crawling with German U-boats, so that they could deliver US guns, tanks and planes to the Russians. I was a bit staggered when I saw the quantities involved; if I recall correctly (I don't have a copy to hand), they for example sent the Russians several thousand fighter planes. This was not emphasized after the war, when alliances switched a second time, and the Soviet Union was the new enemy. Orwell again.

But, at least according to his own account, Churchill did his level best during the war to understand Stalin and see things from his point of view. He worked with him and Roosevelt for over three years, and together they defeated the Nazis. I thought of this book recently when I read Obama's Audacity of Hope, and got to the part where Obama explains how important it is for him to be able to see the world through George W Bush's eyes. Indeed, he does seem to be making progress on working with the Republicans; he got his stimulus package passed, even if it was very difficult and entailed serious compromises. He's a great politician too.

[Mikey B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third volume is a transitional year (1941) in which the British Isles were no longer fighting alone. The Soviet Union was viciously attacked by Nazi Germany in June and of course Pearl Harbor brought in the United States at year’s end. It also marks a turning point in that Churchill made two voyages to North America in 1941. There were to be many more perilous trips undertaken by Churchill during the war. The descriptions of these trips are exquisite.

It should be emphasized that the United States and the Soviet Union were entirely different types of allies to Britain; this becomes clearly apparent as we read through this volume. The U.S. was giving some form of aid to Churchill, particularly after Lend Lease was enacted early in 1941. Until June ’41 the Soviet Union was an indirect ally of Nazi Germany providing Hitler’s armies with vast quantities of raw materials.

But prior to the German invasion of the Soviet Union Britain was still on her own. She was still protecting her island from potential invasion. She was trying to meet German troops wherever she could – in the Middle East and in Greece. We feel Churchill’s anguish when sending troops (many of them from New Zealand and Australia) to meet German forces in Greece. He felt the situation dire and rather forlorn – and once more British and Allied troops were forced to withdraw from Europe in the face of German troops. But of great consequence was that intervention in Greece and Yugoslavia forced Hitler to delay by over a month his attack on the Soviet Union. This became of significance later that year when Nazi troops floundered in the early Soviet winter in front of Moscow.

Page 206 (my volume)

I have now set forth in narrative the outstanding facts of our adventure in Greece. After things are over it is easy to choose the fine mental and moral positions which one should adopt. In this account I have recorded events as they occurred in action as it was taken. Later on these can be judged in the glare of consequences; and finally, when our lives have faded, history will pronounce its cool, detached, and shadowy verdict.


This book contains many of Churchill’s letters and memorandum which are highly detailed. We are provided with a tremendous view of how conditions were being coped in that moment in time. I find it fascinating how he probed and cajoled his administrators and generals on all aspects. If he felt something remiss – he would pounce – woe to the subjects under scrutiny!

Here are two letters sent out: (page 647 and 663)

Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War 4 Feb 41

Please see the Times of February 4. Is it really true that a seven-mile cross-country run is enforced upon all in this division, from general to privates? Does the Army Council think this a good idea? It looks to me rather excessive. A colonel or a general ought not to exhaust himself in trying to compete with young boys running across country seven miles at a time. The duty of officers is no doubt to keep themselves fit, but still more to think of their men, and to take decisions affecting their safety or comfort. Who is the general of this division, and does he run the seven miles himself? If so, he may be more useful for football than war. Could Napoleon have run seven miles across country at Austerlitz? Perhaps it was the other fellow he made run. In my experience, based on many years’ observation, officers with high athletic qualifications are not usually successful in the higher ranks.


Prime Minister to Controller, Admiralty 15 Mar 41

Give me a report on the progress of the ships to carry and disgorge tanks. How many are there? What is their tonnage? How many tanks can they take in flight? When will each be ready? Where are they being built? What mark of tank can they carry?


As Churchill said the future is inscrutable. For example, would Hitler’s armies march through Spain and Gibraltar blocking off the western entrance of the Mediterranean? After taking Greece was Hitler to proceed through Turkey. Preparations had to be made for any projected eventualities.

The Battle of the Atlantic encompassing a vast area was the most crucial zone. Constant attacks by U-boats, armed ships, and planes had to be fought off to keep Britain’s life-line from North America alive. After the German invasion Stalin constantly asked Churchill to open a second front by attacking German occupied France. He had no understanding that Britain’s small army, dispersed as it was, was no match for German continental forces. There was no shipping, particularly specialized shipping for landing armoured vehicles and troops on beaches. And even if Britain had embarked on this, all trans-Atlantic shipping would have been impacted, not to mention the Arctic convoys bringing supplies to the Soviet Union.

With Japan now becoming a significant adversary and America’s lack of military preparedness Churchill at the end of 1941 saw many dark days ahead.

Page 603
An indefinite period of military disaster lay certainly before us. Many dark and weary months of defeat and loss must be endured before the light would come again.


The link below contains a portion of Churchill's speech to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on December 30, 1941 (click on the "listen" (play) button)

http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1941...

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The year 1941 was a make or break year for England During World War II. And it showed every indication that England would break. After two years of war England was the only world power left standing to thwart Hitler’s plan to dominate the world. But the strain on England’s resources and manpower was beginning to show, especially on Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Was there ever a man who meant more to his country or did more to rescue it than Churchill? The number of issues that arose, and recounted in “The Grand Alliance” by Churchill, was staggering.

Supplying the war effort had been a problem since Day 1. Being an island nation England had to produce all war materiel as well as provide for the civilian population. But war production was not just for the defense of the country, England needed to break up the Axis Powers. They did this by attacking the weaker Italy where it waged war around the Mediterranean. They began by knocking out Italy at Tobruk, a port city in Libya. The problem was holding it as Germany bolstered their ally by sending in General Rommel and his armored corps. Churchill spends a good portion of the book talking about the measures taken to defend defending Tobruk from the military buildup by General Rommel.

But the English skies began to clear in June when Hitler turned on his ally and attacked Russia. This proved to be the biggest blunder of the war. Suddenly Hitler was fighting a two front war which took some pressure off the war in the Mediterranean. And suddenly Russia’s war production intended to assist Germany in it’s war against England was now directed at defeating Germany. Stalin, who could’t have cared less about England’s problems prior to Hitler’s betrayal, now became a nagging ally of England, begging for weapons and for England to open a second front in Western Europe.

But “The Grand Alliance”, referring in the title to the relationship between England and the United States, can more properly refer to the relationship between Churchill and Roosevelt. Both were on the same wavelength when it came to providing mutual assistance to achieve war aims. But Churchill, whose mother had been a US citizen, understood that Roosevelt could not unilaterally declare war without the consent of Congress . So he kept Roosevelt in the loop on virtually every movement England made. It paid off when Japan attacked the US Navy at Pearl Harbor and the US went to war with the Axis countries of Germany, Japan and Italy.

“The Grand Alliance” ends with Churchill and Roosevelt meeting face to face on each other’s ships in the North Atlantic where they forged the alliance. Churchill and Roosevelt are the two giants of the Second World War. But there would never have been a grand alliance without the bulldog determination of Churchill to defend his country’s liberty and keep much of the world free.

[Mervyn Whyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through now—three volumes down, three to go. From a narrative standpoint, WWII really only starts to catch fire once the Russians enter the picture. That’s when the story picks up momentum. I know that’s probably not the most orthodox way to judge historical writing, but the campaigns in the Middle East and the debacle in Greece just aren’t all that absorbing. There’s a lot of failure in this stretch—and Churchill spends a fair amount of time deflecting blame.

To be fair, it’s probably a good thing someone like Churchill—someone who could endure one disaster after another without cracking—was in charge. Most other people (myself included) would’ve gone completely mad.

One of the problems was how thinly the British spread themselves. Too often, men and ships were dispatched simply to be seen to be doing something. Instead of concentrating forces, resources were thrown into the fight piecemeal. It’s easy to say with hindsight, of course—but the consequences are hard to ignore.

That said, this is still a rattling good read. Like the previous two volumes, it keeps you thoroughly engaged. Occasionally it gets bogged down in technical detail—Churchill loved a list, a bullet point, a barrage of statistics—but even then, the force of his personality and the sheer scale of events carry you through.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The unceasing tumult of war…”

This third volume in Churchill’s massive six-volume history of the Second World War covers 1941, a kind of transitional period during which Britain begins to go on the offensive, taking the war to Germany in the Mediterranean and North Africa; the Battle of the Atlantic, with the rise of the German U-boat and the convoy system which protects the vital supply chain that is keeping the Allied Forces in Europe fed and supplied; Hitler’s attack on the USSR; and finally, as the year ends, the straw that breaks the back of US procrastination and brings them into the war as a combatant – Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. These events mean that by the end of the year a Grand Alliance has been formed, involving some unlikely bedfellows – Great Britain with its Dominions and territories, the US, the USSR and China.

There is no way to summarise the historical content of the book in a short review, so I won’t try. As with the preceding volumes, it is a mix of detail on troop movements and supply of equipment, broad discussions of the strategies of both sides in the various theatres, intimate pictures of Churchill’s relations with major players, from his military officers and fellow parliamentarians to world leaders like Roosevelt, Smuts and Stalin, and wonderfully told depictions of dramatic and often tragic events. Now that we are in the thick of war with theatres spread throughout the world, I found it hard work to keep on top of what was happening where, and who was in charge of what, and felt strongly that the book needs more and better maps, especially for those regions of the world where borders and names have changed, often more than once, since Churchill’s time. Google was an indispensable aid! However, a bit like an impressionist painting, as one steps back the detail merges into a marvellously clear picture of an incredibly complex conflict, and illustrates the relative strategic importance of each manoeuvre and every decision. It left me again astonished at how any one man could possibly have kept control of all the competing requirements and demands and my admiration of Churchill and his colleagues, military and civilian, continues to grow. The stress they lived under for so long must have been quite incredible, and though they sometimes made bad decisions, they never made them lightly or carelessly, though it may not always have seemed so to many of those affected by them at the time.

As well as explaining what happened, Churchill also occasionally discusses the what-ifs. For example, he makes it clear that had Hitler persevered with his plans for invading Britain rather than turning his attention to the USSR, Britain would have been in trouble, since we were still in the process of building up our forces. He also gives his opinion on some of the strategically smaller but headline-grabbing events of the time, like the arrival of Rudolph Hess in Britain on a one-man mission to negotiate peace. It’s pretty clear Churchill thought Hess mad, and rather regretted that he was incarcerated as a war criminal. Often, in fact, Churchill shows a degree of sympathy for individuals on the other side, and sees them as acting out of patriotism and loyalty – two qualities that make up such a large part of his own character. His desire to win at all costs isn’t driven by hatred, except perhaps for Hitler himself.

Similarly he detours to give a concise and very clear background to the situation with Japan, which shows his admiration for them as a people despite his fear of them as an adversary. He shows how from a mediaeval society just a hundred years earlier, Japan had built up an impressive modern Army and Navy, under the tutelage of, ironically, Britain and Germany. Churchill is clear that the Allies expected Japan to attack British and Dutch holdings in the Pacific, and that he wasn't sure even this would bring the US in. But he didn't think the Japanese were mad or suicidal enough to attack American territories.

What makes it such an exceptional history is the writer’s personal involvement in every major decision. When Churchill tells a story, it is as thrilling as any adventure novel: for example, his account of the sinking of the Bismarck, a ship that had inflicted massive damage on the British fleet; or deeply moving, like his dramatic account of the Battle of Crete, explaining the decisions made and the huge toll of losses on both sides.

And for the first time in this volume we really see the toll, not just on the troops, but on the senior commanders clearly exhausted and suffering from stress, and driven ever on by the relentless Churchill – high-handed, demanding and, yes, also supportive, but perhaps rather blind to how it must have been to see the deaths rather than read about them in reports. He tends to talk of numbers – pawns, not people. Again, perhaps this ability to insulate oneself mentally from the unfolding tragedies is the secret of being a successful war leader – I leave that to the psychologists to argue over. Churchill’s personal courage and willingness to risk his own life in pursuit of victory cannot be doubted, and in my opinion absolves him for expecting so much from those he commanded. He tells of his two voyages across the Atlantic to try to persuade Roosevelt to do more, and he makes these episodes light and entertaining, downplaying the very real threat of the U-boats patrolling the sea. But it’s during the second visit that we see the first real signs of his age and possible physical frailty, and the toll upon him of constant anxiety, when he strains his heart and is forced to rest. Even then, he jokes about Roosevelt and he, both in pyjamas as Churchill lay in bed and Roosevelt sat beside it, discussing strategy! And then he tells of how he flew home – an entertaining account of what was clearly an immensely hazardous journey, justified only by the gathering of hungry U-boats to hunt him on the voyage home.

By the end of 1941, Japan has complete mastery of the Pacific, Germany has driven the USSR back hundreds of miles inside its own territory, and U-boats have weakened British dominance in the Mediterranean. But finally America has declared war on Japan, prompting Germany to declare war on the US. Churchill’s overwhelming feeling is one of relief that at last the US will be an active combatant. He is anxious about impending disasters in ’42 but has confidence that the tide will turn in ’43, and, as always, is unwaveringly certain of eventual victory.

www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com

[John Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent volume in Churchill's masterpiece. Volume 3 covers the year 1941 where you could essentially say was the turning of the tide in the Allies favor. The year began with England alone in the war, reeling from the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic. Over the course of these twelve months Germany made the ill-fated decision to invade the Soviet Union and Japan felt pressed to the brink to attack the United States at Pearl Harbor. Churchill is a master of narrative and draws you right into the daily activities of the Prime Minister. The Grand Alliance is an excellent read!

[Michael Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The current Volume continues with England alone, fighting for life against the U-boat choke hold and confronting the enemy in North Africa and the Middle East. Then the war turns truly global, with Hitler's invasion of Russia in June 1941 and the entrance of the US after Pearl Harbor. Some memorable quotes:

“Renown awaits the Commander who first in this war restores Artillery to its prime importance on the battlefield, from which it has been ousted by heavily armoured tanks.”
- "A Note by the Minister of Defense," October 1941. Classic Churchill: astute, flamboyant, determined. After Germany tore through Poland, France and Greece with its tanks, and after Rommel outflanked first Wavell and then Auchinleck in Libya, Churchill sought to impel his generals to find some way to counteract tank warfare, knowing no one could do it better than the Germans.

“We must avoid frittering away our resources on untenable positions.”
- Churchill to General Ismay, January 1941. Captures in a single sentence Churchill's prime responsibility in overseeing England's war effort. How to allocate scarce resources on multiple fronts to multiple parts of the armed forces? Should holdings in the Far East take precedence over Egypt and the Middle East, as Ismay would have advocated? Steering the military leaders away from these misjudgments was among his biggest contributions.

"Hitler was stung to the quick. He had a burst of that convulsive anger which momentarily blotted out thought and sometimes impelled him on his most dire adventures."
- Churchill writing about Hitler's reaction to a coup in Yugoslavia (March 1941) against the government that was bending to German pressure. Hitler's immediate response was to direct his key henchmen, Goering, Keitel, Jodl and Ribbentrop to "make all preparations to destroy Yugoslavia militarily and as a national unit."

"War is mainly a catalogue of blunders, but it may be doubted whether any mistake in history has equaled that of which Stalin and the Communist chiefs were guilty when they cast away all possibilities in the Balkans and supinely awaited, or were incapable of realising, the fearful onslaught which impended upon Russia."
- Churchill writing about Stalin's failure to predict and prepare for the invasion of Russia. Continuing the quote: "We have hitherto rated them as selfish calculators. In this period they were proved simpletons as well. The force, the mass, the bravery and endurance of Mother Russia had still to be thrown into the scales. But so far as strategy, policy, foresight, competence are arbiters Stalin and his commissars showed themselves at this moment the most completely outwitted bunglers of the Second World War."

"I see ten thousand villages of Russia where the means of existence is wrung so hardly from the soil, but where there are still primordial human joys, where maidens laugh and children play. I see advancing upon all this in hideous onslaught the Nazi war machine, with its clanking, heel-clicking, dandified Prussian officers, its crafty expert agents fresh from the cowing and tying down of a dozen countries. I see also the dull, drilled, docile, brutish masses of the Hun soldiery plodding on like a swarm of crawling locusts."
- An excerpt from Churchill's address to the British nation after Germany's invasion of Russia. As soon as he heard this news he locked himself in his office composing this address for four hours.

"Silly people, and there were many, not only in enemy countries, might discount the force of the United States. Some said they were soft, others that they would never be united. They would fool around at a distance. They would never come to grips. They would never stand blood-letting. Their democracy and system of recurrent elections would paralyse their war effort. They would be just a vague blur on the horizon to friend or foe. Now we should see the weakness of this numerous but remote, wealthy, and talkative people. But I had studied the American Civil War, fought out to the last desperate inch. American blood flowed in my veins. I thought of a remark which Edward Grey had made to me more than thirty years before--that the United States is like "a gigantic boiler. Once the fire is lighted under it there is no limit to the power it can generate."
- Churchill writing about the US entry into the war. Although Pearl Harbor struck a terrible blow, as soon as America became a belligerent, he was certain of Allied victory: "Being saturated and satiated with emotion and sensation, I went to bed and slept the sleep of the saved and thankful."

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Churchill was a trip. Truly a one-of-a-kind giant who helped save the world, yet was able to write about his struggles with effortless aplomb. It must have been the merging of his English and American blood, bringing the best together. This is the third volume of his WWII saga, and it is marvelous (though I rank it below Their Finest Hour). Whether he is fretting about Great Britain fighting by itself while waiting for Roosevelt or slinging dry-witted remarks left and right, this book was a wonderful read.

"The total casualties...were two chickens."

This is a long read and perfect for the reader who not only wants the details on the war, but also for the reader who wants to be entertained. Even the memorandums that Churchill wrote to his staff throughout the war are perfect templates for anyone writing memos in today's business climate...short, crisp, yet worthy. His descriptions of all the world players he met (Harry Hopkins was a "crumbling lighthouse") are such that after you read them, you go back with a did-he-really-write-what-I-think-he-wrote double take.

"They said it was only a ground shark; but I was not wholly reassured. It is as bad to be eaten by a ground shark as by any other."

Using his own words, I guess Mr. Churchill was "builded rightly".

Book Season = Winter (hard to complain about snow compared to the Blitz)

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third volume of Winston Churchill's memoir of the Second World War covers the year 1941, perhaps the turning point of the war. As the year opened, the British Empire stood alone against a triumphant Germany, which had overrun France and Western Europe, with Italy still ascendant in Africa and Japan increasingly noisy in the Far East. Churchill, unlike certain British revisionists since that time, never underestimates the importance of the Dominion powers in terms of British strength, and certainly does not feed the myth of "one tiny island" isolated against a vast military force. He points out that the strength of the UK, along with Canada, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, Northern Ireland, and its various other holdings around the world remained essentially stronger in resources than the Axis, and optimistically predicts that, given enough time, this force could have won the war alone. Well, not really alone, because Churchill also acknowledges the vital importance of the assistance of the nominally "neutral" United States in providing war materiel, largely due to his close relationship with Roosevelt, which practically guaranteed the actual logistical superiority of the Empire against its foes.
But logistics does not win wars alone, and, as this volume proceeds, the British and their allies are losing in Greece, Yugoslavia, Crete, North Africa - virtually everywhere except Ethiopia, where they did manage to drive out the Italian forces and re-instate a friendly monarchy. The U-Boat war goes badly for a time as well. Churchill again shows a certain amount of perception as well as decency in not placing blame for failures upon his commanders, and even makes a point of affirming the continuing value of Wavell after his transfer from North Africa to India. Of course, things do turn around as the year progresses, particularly when Germany invades the USSR (some rather biting comments about Stalin's attitude toward the British after leaving them high and dry during the invasion of Poland) and then at the end of the year Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, bringing the US into the war (and sending Churchill to Washington, to finally meet the man he has collaborated with so long).
The book is rather dry, in accord with the personality of its author, but will be fascinating to some, and certainly useful to others, depending on the level of involvement you have with World War II history. It is certainly not an introductory text, nor is it really advanced scholarship – and, as a published source written after the fact, its value to researchers is questionable. It does serve to point out the degree to which Churchill was personally involved at all levels of the war, both militarily and at the home front, as his many reprinted memos and letters on minor details demonstrate a capacity for micro-management difficult to imagine. It may well be that it was precisely this level of personal responsibility for all aspects of his administration that made Churchill the best choice for Prime Minister at a time of crisis, even if history remembers his peacetime efforts far less fondly.

[Michael Eklund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an utterly fascinating book in the Second World War series.

It is strangely current with Russias attack on Ukraine, and Russias talk about winning World War Two, for because as Churchills notes: “But as far as strategy, policy, foresight, competence are arbiters Stalin and his commissars showed themselves at this moment the most completely outwitted bunglers of the Second World War”.
For ”Up to the moment when the Soviet Government was set upon by Hitler they seemed to care for no one but themselves”.

They aided Nazi Germany with resources and support, they expelled the diplomatic representatives of several nations allied to Britain and if Hitler would have invaded Great Britain in the Summer of 1941, instead of going East, the Soviet Union would only have looked on, with an interested smile.

But as soon as Hitler went east, Stalin suddenly clamored for everything, including a Second front. And the British communists, just some time ago indifferent and even hostile to "the capitalist and imperialist war", suddenly became very active with demands for support of the Soviet Union.

“We endured the unpleasant process of exposing our own vital security and projects to failure for the sake of our new ally – surly, snarly, grasping, and so lately indifferent to our survival”.
But Churchill listened, and sent both considerable resources from Great Britain, but also most of the resources meant for his country from the US redirecting it to the Russians.

This meant of course Great Britain got weaker, so defeats in the desert, against the Japanese and longer time to get back into Western Europe just because of aiding the not really thankful Russians.

[Aurimas Nausėda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Britų politiko asmeniniai potyriai aprašant susitikimus su JAV, Sovietų Sąjungos politikais, Antrojo pasaulinio karo kovas. Žodžiu, knyga suteiks daug įdomių žinių apie Antrojo pasaulinio karo kontekstą, žmogiškuosius polutikų sprendimus.

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third of Churchill's series of 6 books giving his perspective on the Second World War, which I am reading year by year on the 80th anniversary of the conflict. As with the others it offers a comprehensive record of Churchill's memos, letters and parts of speeches throughout the year in question, in this case 1941, covering significant developments in the Battle of the Atlantic, reverses in the Desert war, Germany's ill-fated attack on Russia and the run up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, bringing the US into the war. Given that it largely only gives Churchill's side of the correspondence he paints the most positive spin on his positions and decisions (as he famously admitted) but whilst it does demonstrate his ability to grasp and organise competing strategic priorities (unlike a certain contemporary PM who claims to idolise him), and lead a team of highly capable people, he does, at times come across as retrospectively justifying some of his less successful decisions and his antipathy to certain individuals (such as Auchinlech). His undisguised glee at the longterm implications of the Pearl Harbor attack, may also seem somewhat callous, but was at least realistic and, together with other projections I to the future that proved less accurate) suggests that the whole thing is perhaps an accurate account, relatively free of self-justifying redactions.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was about 1941. What was remarkable was the immense structure and overall war planning that occurred in the 50 or so days after the Pearl Harbor attack. Churchill camped out at the White House with President Roosevelt and a small group of key advisors for about four weeks beginning mid-December. By then the Allies had a working command system, detailed estimates of weapons production and distribution, an overall plan for rapidly decreasing the dire shipping capacity shortfall, and overall guidance for 1942 and 1943 war planning. I don't think this would even be remotely possible today!

I'm immensely enjoying this six-volume record of an incredible effort to stop evil. Just three more to go!

[Gintarė Lialienė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trečioji V. Čerčilio asmeninės sagos apie II pasaulinį karą dalis. Įdomi tuo, kad joje autorius nemažai kalba apie sąjungininkų nesėkmes ir keistokus santykius su Sovietų Sąjunga ir Prancūzija. Žmogui, gyvenančiam laisvame pasaulyje, bet užaugusiam sovietinėje sistemoje vis bendravimo aspektas puikiai suprantamas, o stai santykiai su prancūzais buvo nemaloniai netikėti. Įdomu skaityti apie tai, kiek karinių konfliktų metu reiškia lyderio savybės ir gebėjimas bendradarbiauti.

[Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Similar to the first two volumes in this series, PM Churchill provides extreme detail in this front row seat to the conduct of the war. He provides the military and political context for the major decisions of the early part of the war and does not withhold his views on the duplicity of the Soviet Union and Stalin.

Thoroughly enjoying the series.

[Tommy Kiedis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grand account of the Grand Alliance that ushered the demise of Nazi Germany and its axis powers in in World War II.

In The Grand Alliance, volume three of his six-part account, The Second World War, Winston Churchill provides an account of the war, a biographical history, and a clinic on organizational leadership. As he does in volumes one and two, Churchill focuses on a single theme:

Volume 1: The Gathering Storm: How the English-speaking peoples through their unwisdom, carelessness, and good nature allowed the wicked to rearm.
Volume 2: Their Finest Hour: How the British people held the fort ALONE till those who hitherto had been half blind were half ready.
Volume 3: The Grand Alliance: How the British fought on with Hardship their Garment until Soviet Russia and the United States were drawn into the Great Conflict.

In The Grand Alliance, Churchill the invites the reader to walk with him through the events of a single year, in this case 1941. We witness Russia, initially aligned with Nazi Germany, switch sides. We watch how Britain comes to their aid again and again despite the ingratitude Joseph Stalin often displays. We see Churchhill's efforts to foster a great alliance with President Roosevelt and his key aids all the time hoping the U.S. will enter the war.

There is so much to glean from and appreciate about this volume:

1. The magnitude of Churchill's capacities: In 1941 Churchill serves Great Britain as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury and Minister of Defense. The scope of his knowledge is mind-boggling: Geography (seen as he discusses various conflicts and troop movements throughout the world), theaters of war, personnel, troop strength, armaments (tanks, planes, munitions, ships), agriculture, U.S. pork production, women in combat, foreign relations, the long-term impact of Japanese steel production . . . it just goes on and on! Churchill has a grasp of seemingly every facet of the war and its impact on the world.

2. The effectiveness of Churchill's crisis management: See my post "What Churchill Can Teach You About Leading In A Crisis"." It's a baker's dozen of leadership insights for crisis management drawn from this volume.

3. The insights from Churchill's organizational leadership: Churchill demonstrates essential ABC's of organizational leadership: Action this day! Read the Prime Minister's personal communication from 1941 and you will often see "Action this day" above a memo. The Prime Minister had a bias for action and expected the same from his subordinates. Churchill held his leaders accountable. Broad mastery/minimal management. As noted, Churchill's understanding of the war and it's impact at home and abroad is stunning. He read and read and read internal and external sources to enhance his mastery of the situation at hand. While he often offered suggestions and demanded a response to his inquires -- at least from his published correspondence -- he rarely overstepped or micromanaged. Commuicate. Churchill was the master of the "one page." He required reports to be cogent and brief, essential to him disseminating massive amounts of information. Delegate and praise. Churchill knew his limits as to his understanding and to operational oversight. He expressed praise generously but not capriciously.

The Grand Alliance is a long read, 903 pages including index and appendices. There are 150 pages of appendices. One need not read them, but you skip them to your detriment. As in other volumes they are a goldmine of insight on Churchill, the conflict, and how he operated as a leader. The appendices are a treasure trove of leadership lessons.

Read The Grand Alliance.Yes, it will take you some time, but will be worth every effort.

NOTE ON THE AUDIBLE VERSION Audible offers an "unabridged" version. It's very good, but it is nowhere near unabridged nor does it include the VAST majority of Volume three. Actually, it skips between volumes three and four and back and forth through volume three. I have a paper copy and the Audible version. I have read the paper and listened to the audio. The actual book is MUCH MORE comprehensive. That said, the Audible narration is fabulous and the account is fascinating.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, Churchill's volume has been an eye opener to me, explaining why the war proceeded as it did and how the main powers worked together. For me, the most interesting part was the North African campaign as my own grandfather fought in Tunisia for the American Army and was taken as a POW in January 1943. I didn't understand why they were in North Africa until now. If Germany had succeeded in Egypt, they would have controlled the Suez canal blocking off the Allies from the Mediterranean and the link to the Middle East oil fields. As is, it was a close run thing but once turned around in North Africa, the tide of the war was in the Allies' favour.

But really, I suppose, it was the coming of the Americans, which wasn't a sure thing. After Pearl Harbor, there were voices in Washington who pushed for a focus on the Pacific theatre. Fortunately, Roosevelt listened to Churchill and agreed that it would be good to go after Hitler, if not first, then concurrently. Also, don't forget the Italians, although we end this volume with the discussions around the invasion of Italy.

Another issue brought up was the Russian invasion by Germany ending their alliance. Churchill's visits to Stalin are very interesting. Stalin wasn't happy with the focus of the Allies on North Africa but he didn't have much choice. Churchill was wary of Stalin and did not forget Stalin's support of Hitler or the atrocities of the Communist regime. However, they needed Russia and that is international politics all over.

Anyway, I will end with the fact that Churchill was very much in the field and travelled to Washington, Moscow, North Africa, Gibraltar and so on, very much hands on. But finishing the volume, he mentions the flight of BOAC Flight 777 from Lisbon on the 1st June 1943. The plane was shot down by German fighter planes and all passengers aboard died including Leslie Howard. The theory is that it was shot down in the mistaken belief that Churchill was on board. Churchill writes, "The brutality of the Germans was only matched by the stupidity of their agents. It is difficult to understand how anyone could imagine that with all the resources of Great Britain at my disposal I should have booked a passage in an unarmed and unescorted plane from Lisbon and flown home in broad daylight." Any further theories as to what intelligence was aboard and whether the atrocity could have been avoided are not discussed here. But it does highlight the fact that war is indiscriminate in the way it targets its victims.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The things I found most interesting in this book were the Battle of Britain and what happened with Russia and Germany.
I knew Winston Churchill had a reputation for good insults, but he had some very blunt things to say about how Stalin managed things before the Germans invaded. "Gross mismanagement" was one of the phrases he used.
The two-faced behavior of the Soviets would have been socially crippling but I guess you can't afford to ostracize someone you need to successfully fight a war. Before the Germans invaded they had made treaties with them, dividing up Poland and the Baltic states. They instructed communist groups in Great Britain and America to agitate against the war and ignored all intelligence from Allied sources saying the Germans were going to attack them. Then, once they were attacked, they screamed for a "Second Front Now!" Meaning they wanted Great Britain to invade France immediately to take some of the pressure off them. Which was impossible and Churchill repeatedly sends messages to Stalin telling him why and that they were doing all they could. They even sent on some of the supplies from the United States to Russia, at great risk. But every time they heard from Stalin all he could say was, "Why aren't you invading yet?"
He does point out the horrific things that were happening in Russia, as a mitigating factor. But I think it is a credit to Churchill that he never sent a message back saying, "Where were you when we were being bombed and all our shipping attacked and we were fighting the Germans alone? At least you have allies."
And we learned more about Africa and the back and forth that went on there to preserve some freedom of shipping in the Mediterranean and to keep the Suez Canal free.
And Churchill was really glad when Pearl Harbor happened. Not that all the people and ships were destroyed, but that America was going to enter the war. It says, I went to be at ease, knowing that no matter what happened, or how long it took, we would win the war in the end.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of his immense output, Winston Churchill may be described as an old-fashioned writer. Fortunately for us he does not read as such. There is very little archaic about the expressions he uses or the grammar he employs, in volume after volume after volume. It remains immensely readable, and this is the strength of a good writer, it seems to me. As a boy, Churchill was held up to me as an example of a person with a very full command of English. I was told, although I have never been able to verify it, that Churchill employed one of the largest vocabularies of any individual writing in English. It is ironic to think that, although the use of English is becoming ever more widespread, it is not generally being put to anything like the kind of use a man like Churchill made of it.

"The Grand Alliance" takes us to the point in the Second World War when the Americans finally declared their intentions. In a sense, it announced the end to hesitation, the end to British doubts about whether they could possibly win out against Hitler alone. Of course, America had participated in the war to a very large extent already, having agreed to set up the famous "Lend-Lease" program, whereby first Britain, and later Russia, were given material support in a way which satisfied the neutral and isolationist U.S. congress. It was also something of a victory for Churchill at the same time, since he had worked doggedly at bringing the Americans around, and although Pearl harbour did tip the balance, it was partly due to Churchill having prepared the ground.

Churchill himself states that, from the moment of the U.S. entry into the conflict, no matter how long it might take, he was certain of victory. From his point of view at the top, he could see that the sheer weight of numbers (tonnage, armament production etc.,), added to the geographical reality of Germany, meant they could never hope to win against the combined industrial might of Britain and the U.S. It was this absolute faith which sustained him during the reverses of 1941 and 1942.

[Andrew Canfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grand Alliance is the third book in Winston Churchill's six volumes on the second World War, and the bulk of it is spent detailing the contours of a chess match between Great Britain, Italy, Russia, and Germany.

There is a chapter devoted to the Battle of the Atlantic, and the naval-minded prime minister makes it clear how much importance he attached to maintaining oceanic command. Preventing Hitler's ability to destroy his island's shipping capacity (even more so after Lend-Lease) is one of the prime minister's highest priorities.

Like the Blitz/Battle of Britain before it, Churchill paints the 1941 war on British shipping as a terrifying, though ultimately failed, attempt to bring his nation to its knees. A clear reason as to why Germany loses sight of making Britain crumble a-la France and Poland looms large: the German invasion of Russia. The vital Eastern front, stained with the blood of so much of Germany and Russia's expendable youth, does much to keep Germany distracted from goals of more concern to Britain. Yet at times Churchill makes his irritation with the Great Bear's demand for British help clear; only when their self-interest kicked in did they show the slightest concern for England's needs during the war. Neither Stalin nor Churchill come across as anything more than awkward partners who need each other to annihilate a common threat.

The chess match with more relatively minor countries like Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Hungary, Yugoslavia (the Balkans' geographical placement, in proximity to Russian as well as German/Italian interests, made control of them vital to numerous players) and Turkey are replayed by publishing of Churchill's correspondence with his generals in the field.

Even some of the Axis correspondence, supposedly unearthed after the war, shed light on the enemy's thinking. The Fuhrer's desire to invade these countries and use them as launching pads for further conquests made it of vital importance that Britain at least keep them neutral during the war. Germany's "Operation Punishment" in April 1941, a ruthless bombing of Belgrade after Yugoslavia backs out of acting as his regional puppet, showed the fear used by Germany to keep any wavering puppet states in line.

The vast majority of The Grand Alliance occurs before the reason behind its title crystallizes. But before its conclusion the United States has been sneak-attacked at Pearl Harbor, leading it to move from supplying Britain with weapons and assistance in shipping to an active wartime footing. The Atlantic Charter as well as the Anglo-American Accords placed specific verbiage on the values and goals shared by the American and British partners.

Prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, the Grand Alliance spends comparatively little time expounding on Japanese expansionism. Chang Kai-shek's value as an ally is discussed, while Japan's possible intentions in the Pacific and toward Australia are of concern to Churchill.

But the theater in North Africa gets much more attention: Churchill's discussions with Britain's Middle Eastern commander Claude Auchinleck are a further illustration of the chess match theme woven into much of this book's thread. Deciding how to distribute troops between North Africa (where Rommel's Afrika Corps posed a challenge), the homeland of Britain (to secure against cross-Channel German invasion) and the desire of Russia to see a second front opened up by the Allies in the East, made for logistical headaches.

Churchill's tension with General Auchinleck is not hidden in the middle portions of the book.

Several weeks after the U.S. entry in the war, Churchill makes his first wartime visit to North America. His relationship with Franklin Roosevelt is growing into one of seemingly mutual admiration, and the prime minister address both the U.S. Congress and Canadian Parliament during this December 1941 journey. He discusses the need for confronting evil in a new alliance during his December 26th address to Congress: "Do we not owe it to ourselves to ourselves, to our children, to mankind tormented, to make sure that these catastrophes shall not engulf us for the third time? It has been proved that pestilences may break out in the Old World which carry their destructive ravages into the New World, from which, once they are afoot, the New World cannot by any means escape."

As is evident from his quote to Congress, Churchill seems to have a constant worry that America will see things only through her own New World lens. He is constantly laboring for his country's emissaries to stress to their American partners that a trans-Atlantic, larger view of the battle against the Axis powers must be taken. Men like Field-Marshall John Dill and Lord Beaverbrook try their utmost to convince those in power in the American government that their fate is intimately tied up with that of Britain and democratic Europe.

This third book is on par with the first two. It is a worthwhile read in spite of the methods used to expose readers to voluminous amounts of correspondence. While this format at times makes it a stronger work of nonfiction, the vast amount of letters back and forth between Churchill and his generals/civilian leaders sometimes slow up the pace.

The Grand Alliance is a nice addition to the world's knowledge base about a truly awful time in the not so distant past.

-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado

[Colonel Sir Cedric Wycliffe-Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Grand Alliance by Winston S. Churchill

The Grand Alliance is the third volume in Winston Churchill’s monumental six-volume history of The Second World War. This volume chronicles the critical events of 1941, a year when the course of the war began to shift dramatically. Churchill’s remarkable leadership is highlighted against the backdrop of a changing global balance, as the war expands to the Pacific and the Eastern Front.

Key Themes and Events:
• The Entry of the United States into the War: One of the most significant events of 1941 was the entry of the United States into World War II following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Churchill emphasizes the importance of this moment, heralding the beginning of the Grand Alliance—a partnership between Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. This alliance would prove pivotal in defeating the Axis powers.
• The Blitz and the Battle for Britain: Churchill vividly recounts the intense and relentless bombing campaign against Britain during the Blitz. Despite the devastation, the volume demonstrates Britain’s resilience and ability to stand firm, a theme that resonates throughout the entire series. Britain’s survival would ultimately prove critical for the Allied war effort.
• Hitler’s Attack on Russia: The volume also focuses on Operation Barbarossa, Hitler’s ill-fated invasion of the Soviet Union. Churchill presents a detailed account of the military and political implications of this move, which marked a pivotal moment in the Eastern Front. This campaign would lead to a protracted struggle between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which would ultimately drain Germany’s resources.
• The Pacific Theatre and Pearl Harbor: Another major theme is the shift in focus to the Pacific War after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Churchill examines the impact of this attack on global strategy and the beginning of America’s war with Japan, which would become a defining feature of World War II.

Churchill’s Leadership:

In this volume, Churchill’s role as the leader of Britain during its darkest hours remains paramount. His role in maintaining morale and forging strategic alliances is highlighted through his speeches, letters, and personal reflections. He also details the complex diplomatic maneuvering that helped solidify the Grand Alliance, showing how the cooperation between Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union became a cornerstone of the war effort.

Notable Quotes:
• “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
• “We are in the midst of a great and terrible struggle, but we shall emerge victorious.”

Final Verdict:

The Grand Alliance is an essential volume for anyone interested in understanding the early stages of the Second World War, particularly the strategic shifts that marked the year 1941. Churchill’s authoritative voice, combined with his personal involvement in the events, provides an unmatched account of how the war turned in favor of the Allies. His insights into the grand strategy and diplomacy of the period are invaluable for anyone studying the complex dynamics of World War II.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) — A critical volume in Churchill’s history of World War II, filled with fascinating details of the global alliances and the key events of 1941. The vivid portrayal of the shift in global power dynamics is a testament to Churchill’s unparalleled contribution to military history and strategy.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grand Alliance
Winston Churchill
Houghton Mifflin
1950


By 1950, when this volume was published, I should think Churchill must have almost choked when he selected the title. The title refers to how, in 1941, Russia abruptly sought alliance with Britain following Hitler's attack; and how the United States went all-in following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But now, in 1950, to call it a "grand alliance" given the naked postwar aggression and land grabbing of the USSR upon conclusion of the war, must have been difficult. He doesn't make mention of that in the book, however. The closest he comes to any such comment is when, in a number places, he expresses his bewilderment at how apparently naive Stalin was to the ultimate intent of Hitler with regard to Russia. In fact he sent personal notes to Stalin warning him of the danger and urging him to make preparations for such an attack. Stalin remained static. Churchill urged action to prevent the needless loss of Russian lives that would come about unless the Nazis were met at the outset with strong resistance. Stalin seemed totally unmindful. And then, once the Nazis did attack and overrun more than five hundred miles of Russia in just a few weeks, Stalin was all over Churchill insisting that he open a "western front" to draw Hitler back into Europe and thereby gain some relief for Russia. Churchill then had to endure an endless emotional struggle brought on by the tug of war for supplies - munitions - coming from the United States. Lend-lease had been in operation benefiting England for more than a year. Now, it was obvious that to sustain Russia and just keep it from falling to Hitler many of those supplies would have to be diverted to Russia! In a remarkable illustration of just what a nuanced leader Churchill was he negotiated with FDR the terms of how US munificence would be portioned out between England and Russia.

All the while, that is, during the year 1941 which is the temporal scope of this volume, he was imagining and orchestrating military personnel not only from England but also from the "dominions" - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Africa, and India - to engage in military strategy not only in Europe but in north Africa, the middle east, the far east (Singapore, Malaya). While they had met with great success in driving the Italians out of north Africa in '39, now in '41, the Desert Fox (Rommel) had shown up to reverse all that and drive the British all the way back to the Egyptian border. Churchill constantly prodded his newly appointed general to counter attack to no avail. Simultaneously, it was clear that the British needed to establish dominance in the middle east - Syria, Iran - so as to ensure for themselves and deny to the Nazis access to the Bakul oil fields. In a series of bold decisions and audacious maneuvers - political and military - they swept through the region and in a few weeks had secured their goal. Churchill admittedly took his lead from Hitler - strike fast, assume weak response, take control. On the other hand, he agonized over the threat from Japan to the British interests in the Pacific. His fleet was totally engaged in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. There was little he could do to even protect Australia and New Zealand. He had a stronghold in Singapore but with concerted effort the Japanese could march down the Malayan peninsula and eventually take that outpost as well. To add to his grief in that region there were those in Australia who were accusing him of using their troops to fight his battles in Africa and the Middle East without committing a proportionate number of Englishmen. Resolution in the Pacific had to await the involvement of the US.

A major issue to be dealt with in this volume was the continuing threat of U-boats. Britain required huge quantities of supplies - read FOOD - to be brought in by ship from around the globe. Besides the food, they needed all kinds of raw and processed war materials. From the beginning of hostilities with Germany the U-boats were in play. After the Battle of Britain in which Germany finally gave up on the air raids and apparently on a channel crossing invasion, Churchill opined that Hitler seemed to have given "more importance to starving us out than to invasion." One of the earliest requests that Churchill made to FDR was for any kind of support in fending off and defeating the U-boats. Roosevelt was in complete sympathy but was constrained by an unwillingness to commit any acts that could be construed as aggressive toward Germany or would in any way be interpreted, legally, as such. But he managed to make declarations of providing protection of any commerce in certain regions of the Atlantic. This ensured a sufficient level of safe navigation to keep supplies moving into England. Ultimately, after a US destroyer was attacked by a U-boat on September 4, the President issued a directive which effectively allowed commanders of US military ships to "shoot first." By November he had worked out a way to deal with the neutrality laws so that American ships could themselves carry goods to Britain and also be armed to attack or defend against U-boats.

As I read of these unrelenting and vicious U-boat attacks with their constant threat to the very survival of the British people I felt a strong empathy for them. I recalled how some of them found intermittent relief in their popular music. This in turn prompted me to listen to some of the songs by Vera Lynn: The White Cliffs of Dover, When the Lights Go On Again, and especially, We'll Meet Again.

A couple of final points: I was amazed to realize how many of the principle events of WW II had occurred before the US officially declared war on the Axis. Virtually, all of Europe - Eastern and Western - had fallen, Russia was on its knees, Scandinavia was completely subservient, Britain was effectively under siege, the Japanese had come in with Hitler, Greece along with Crete had been overrun, Turkey was shuddering, Rommel roared in north Africa, Italy had a strong naval presence in the Med, the French colonies in Africa were Nazi leaning. You have to ask: "What were we waiting for?" That begs the question about US politics at the time. Churchill frequently lamented the US system of government where "only congress can declare war." And yet in spite of all this he summarized his feelings in November. "We wondered about the future, but, after all we had surmounted, could not fear it. ... The threatened stranglehold of the German Air and U-boats had been broken, and the enemy was driven from our shores. ... The Mediterranean, the Desert, the Middle East were still in peril, but in the closing days of November on land and sea and in the air we felt thankful with the way the war had gone so far." Within a couple of months this sense of well being was to be severely tested even with the Grand Alliance in place.

Once the US declared war on the Axis, Churchill negotiated a face to face planning session with FDR in the US. In all ways it was a triumph. The two laid out a detailed plan "and sequence of the war". The details of all this are awesome. And the unabashed giddiness of Churchill's attitude while developing it is infectious. Their plan for the liberation of France was code named "Roundup" and was scheduled for the summer of 1943. It had to be delayed a year, by which time it had a new code name: OVERLORD !

[Nathan Casebolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of 1941, the war between the Axis Powers and the United Kingdom had become a war of the frontiers. Germany lacked the naval and air superiority to invade or strangle the island nation, and Britain lacked the land power to assault the continent. Each struggled to grasp an advantage in peripheral theaters: the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the North African desert, Syria. The allegiance or neutrality of Spain and Turkey poised precariously between the two giants. This finely-balanced house of cards came crashing down in two tremendous strokes: Germany's invasion of Russia in historic and overwhelming force, and Japan's shocking irruption into the Pacific through the blazing wreckage of American and British battleships.

This third volume of Churchill's history of the Second World War is a record of preparations for a world that never happened. From training Alpine troops in Iceland for the liberation of Norway to plans to occupy Spanish Atlantic islands in response to a German conquest of Gibraltar, from preparations to defend against a German transit through Turkey into the Middle East to detailed orders to Home Defense to fight to the death against invasion, nearly all British attempts to plan for the future were overthrown by Hitler's decision to conquer Russia before subjugating Britain.

This was not necessarily a miscalculation on Hitler's part; indeed, the fury of the Russian response surprised many who expected the Bear to collapse nearly as quickly as France had done. Had Hitler's gamble succeeded, Britain truly would have stood alone in Europe, with the agricultural and petroleum resource of Russia now ranged fully against her and German troops poised for a pincer movement on Egypt and the all-important Suez Canal. Russia's determination to fight, driven no less by Stalin's iron will than by the average Russian's love of his homeland, instead threw the eastern giant into Allied ranks. Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor forged the final link in what Churchill called the grand alliance, bringing America into the war alongside Russia and Britain. The die was now irretrievably cast, and by their own desperate acts the German, Italian, and Japanese leaders now faced a global alliance determined to exterminate them once and for all.

[Edvinas Palujanskas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labai įdomi karo memuarų knyga, kurioje žymusis britų imperialistas pasakoja apie iššūkius, su kuriais teko susidurti per Antrąjį pasaulinį karą kovojant su vokiečiais. Skaitant knygą nuolatos atrodydavo, kad pats esi ten, kur ir Čerčilis ir kad kaip ir jis esi įklimpęs į krūvą neišsprendžiamų karo problemų. Šioje knygoje atskleidžiama, kaip viskas buvo neaišku ir toli gražu nenuspėjama. Iš pradžių britai bijojo dėl savo šalies saugumo, tačiau sąjunga su JAV pamažu ėmė duoti rezultatų. Čerčilis su Ruzveltu viską aptardavo akis į akį ir nuolatos ieškodavo sprendimų, kurie labiausiai tiktų abejoms šalims. Nepamiršta buvo ir didžioji sąjungininkė Rusija, kuriai visais įmanomais būdais buvo stengiamasi atsiųsti pagalbą. Stalinui to buvo mažai ir jis jautėsi apgautas. Jis nesuprato, kodėl sąjungininkai taip ilgai delsia atidaryti Antrąjį frontą Prancūzijoje?
Problemų buvo daug. Japonija siekė dominavimo Ramiajame vandenyne, o Čerčilis darė viską, kad įtikintų prezidentą Ruzveltą, jog pirmiausia reikia kovoti su Vokietija, o ne Japonija. Buvo nuspręsta pirmiausia sutriuškinti Ašies pajėgas šiaurės Afrikoje, o paskui pamažu veržtis į Siciliją, Korsiką ir į pačią Italiją. Dabar viskas skamba elementariai ir paprastai, o tuomet dauguma karo vadų dvejojo. Kaip elgsis vokiečiai? Kaip elgsis italai? Kokia bus turkų pozicija?
Vis dėlto, reikia nepamiršti, kad tai yra ideologiniai memuarai žmogaus, kuris visiškai nesuprato demokratijos ir "tautų apsisprendimo teisės". Jam vokiečių imperija kėlė baimę, tačiau jis pats siekė bet kokia kaina išsaugoti Britanijos imperiją. Nei viename puslapyje nebuvo suabejota britų teise valdyti kitas valstybes. Kai kuriose vietose net aiškiai išsakoma mintis, kad po karo pasaulyje turės dominuoti JAV ir Jungtinė Karalystė. Tačiau visa tai retam žmogui neprasprūs pro akis, nes autorius tikrai turi rašytojo talentą ir sugeba puikiai išlaviruoti tarp kontraversiškų temų. Jeigu nežinotum, kas buvo tas Čerčilis ir kokia jo politinė ideologija,(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEGx... ) galėtum net pagalvoti, kad tai yra aukštos moralės žmogus, kuris rūpinasi taikos išsaugojimu pasaulyje. Bet kokiu atveju, memuarai tikrai įdomūs ir ne vienoje buvo pateikta tokių istorijų, kurios kaip reikiant prajuokino.

[Dave McCracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating period of the war told by a master storyteller. The Grand Alliance is this volume's culmination, before which Winston Churchill describes the intricacies of war in the Balkans, Greece, Crete, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and the breath of North Africa.

Clearly, Winston Churchill's grasp for strategic action in these many theatres was masterly in conception. The author fully articulates the reasoning and purpose of these ventures. All, of course, were not successful, where defeat occurred, the resilience of British & Dominion troops saved the day and maintained the ability to both carry on as well as strike back. All of these events hinged on the cover and success of naval operations, in the Battle for the Atlantic (Western Approaches) and battles for the Mediterranean Sea.

Winston Churchill's recollections emphasize the gravity of these varied strategic maneuvers and battles that held the fate of free nations. Despite numerous setbacks, thru well thought out positioning of resources, men, and weaponry British & Dominion sea, land, and air forces managed to maintain effective block to Axis forces.

Winston Churchill's lavish use of official correspondence between principle leadership with all countries and commanders is fascinating reading. The clarity of purpose and spirit of cooperation in both hazardous and delicate balances between defeat or victory is gripping reading. Indeed, the author's inclusion of strategic papers outlining time-sensitive strategies are insightful readings into both the perceived fortunes of the combatants and the eventual outcomes of these decisions are laid bare.

This volume introduces Winston Churchill's interactions with Stalin and the Soviet Union after it was attacked by German forces. Again, intriguing readings of personal correspondence between two ideologic polar opposite leaders. Finally, the Japanese entry into the war attacking Pearl Harbour & striking throughout South East Asia, bringing the USA into the war, forming the Grand Alliance.

Thoroughly enjoyed this volume enlightening my understanding of little known or written about theatres of war.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winston Churchill's comprehensive recounting of the World War II based on his remembrances continues with this, the third edition of six. It almost entirely involves the tumultuous year of 1941, when Great Britain was fighting almost single-handedly against Germany and Italy in the Balkans, Greece, Cyprus and, far from least, in North Africa. Prime Minister Churchill must have felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as desperate measures were enacted by his government and armed forces to keep the nation from strangling under siege in the ocean by submarines; keep much-needed army divisions from the war front in order to defend the homeland against the ever-present threat of cross-channel invasion; attempt to bring Yugoslavia, Greece and Turkey into the allied camp; and find a way to stretch the Royal Navy's presence to fight against German submarine and surface raiders in the North Atlantic, and keep a lifeline open to the British forces in Egypt while patrolling the Mediterranean.

Several times the British army was rescued from imminent destruction after finding itself in disastrous situations as Greece fell to the Germans and Cyprus could not be defended against what Churchill characterized as a German willingness to expend soldiers and aircraft recklessly. The book proceeds chronologically but, as Churchill shows, there were times when hard decisions had to be made and worried about as multiple dangers had to be faced. One such situation was the ultimately successful but costly and stress-filled pursuit of the German battleship "Bismark". At the same time as the Admiralty had to devote extensive effort to apprehend the German battleship in the North Atlantic, naval resources had to be risked to rescue British soldiers and the Greek royal family from the disaster at Cyprus. Likewise, plans for fighting the Italians and Germans in North Africa had to share official attention to the need to keep Iraq and Syria from German control.

Churchill was up to his elbows in minutae concerning every aspect of war strategy and the positioning and equipping of an ever-growing military force operating throughout Europe. He turned to President Franklin Roosevelt for more than moral encouragement. Roosevelt was the leader of a country which was determined to stay out of war, even at this late date, but he used his leadership skills to keep the public informed about the need to keep Great Britain supplied in its exertions against the fascists. Roosevelt could politically get away with assisting the British as long as the public perceived that only material aid was offered. He deftly escalated American involvement from supplying essential arms across the ocean to taking over the responsibility of naval security for the increasing number of convoys as far as Iceland, thus freeing many ships the British needed in the Mediterranean. After Hitler invaded Russia, making Stalin an essential but often difficult ally of the British, Churchill and Roosevelt met personally for the first historic time and produced the Atlantic Charter which formalized Anglo-American aims regarding cooperating to win the war, among many other features, and looking forward to the role of the United States and Great Britain in the post-war world. From now on, America was in an undeclared war with Germany, with its escort ships being attacked by U-Boats.

The actual formation of a Grand Alliance to fight against the Axis powers didn't occur, of course, until after Japan attacked the United States on December Seventh, bringing the Americans formally into the war. The United States, Great Britain and Russia became the Big Three, joined by the British Dominions and numerous other signatory partners. It is no understatement to say that Pearl Harbor was felt as a great deliverance to Churchill, who knew that now significant involvement from America would greatly ease the pain of trying to keep British forces armed and equipped while diverting much essential arms to the voracious Russian needs.

Things weren't all optimistic by the time the book ends late in 1941. The long-prepared British offensive against Rommel in the desert had begun in the Fall, and was running into serious obstacles. You can see the writing on the wall, concerning the erosion of faith in the commanding general, as Churchill provides copies of memoranda produced at that time, where he and the senior command supported their newer Mediterranean commander openly but were aware of his lack of ability to produce the timely and decisive results that was needed for success. The previous commander, General Wavell, also proved to be very competent in a military administrative sense but, ultimately, became overwhelmed by all of the challenges thrown at him constantly by the enemy and by the British Supreme Command. Wavell had then been given command of the forces in India but I found it surprising that Churchill was pressing hard to put Wavell in the newly created position of Supreme Allied Commander when he visited Roosevelt in Washington at the end of December.

1942 began with the British Navy suffering crippling losses in the Mediterranean, making it even more difficult to supply and protect the ground forces fighting in that theater; the entry of Japan into the war on the side of the Axis, attacking British, American and Dutch forces in much more rapid and devastating fashion than anyone had anticipated, with Britain's newest and proudest battleship at the bottom of the sea and Japanese forces making progress along the Malay Peninsula to threaten Singapore; the opening of a land route through Persia to add to the North Sea supply pipeline to Russia; and continuing questions on how to find and allocate forces for the still-to-be determined route to getting land forces on Europe and ultimately defeat Germany. In Russia, the German armies were at the doors of Moscow and Leningrad, and the ever-present concern was how Britain would survive the full weight of German aggression of they defeated the Russians and were free to turn all of their military forces against Britain.

There are those in America who see the start of World War II as "the Japanese attacked us at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the fighting started here" but Churchill describes how, from the British perspective, that date was just the end of the first act of a long war.

One more comment, regarding the book edition used in this review. The above cover art represents the e-book available for iPad on Amazon. I found it to be enjoyable to access the book this way, for my first such experience, except for the frequent (almost every page) frequency of typos.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it interesting to place myself in the shoes of individuals, especially historical figures, and think, "What would I do in that situation?" Would I live up to their acts, be able to see the entire picture, or be as clever as they were? In reading these volumes by Winston Churchill I recognize that my answer to all those questions would be no. Here is a fellow who stands head and shoulders above me and it is a genuine pleasure to see how his mind works and how he was absolutely the right man at the right time. Good luck for the Allies, not so much for the Axis.

Volume 3 takes on the entry of the Soviet Union under Stalin as Hitler turns on him and forces the USSR into an uneasy alliance with Great Britain. The campaign in Africa is followed as is the struggle in the middle East. The turbulent struggle in the Atlantic is dealt with along with the hunt for the Bismarck. Additionally, Churchill deals extensively about his relationship with President Roosevelt and the eventual attack at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese that leads the United States into the War and changes everything. There is a turning point in the tides of men and this volume certainly illustrates that.

Viewing his correspondence, reading his speeches, and learning of his triumphs and tragedies makes this a riveting account that gives an entirely different perspective on this war. Then, when the account has become dire, there are moments of wit, throw away lines that had me laughing, at just the right moment in the narrative. I think Churchill would have been an incredible man to have known and in reading these accounts it takes me one step closer to the real thing. An absolute must read.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much happening this volume -- the invasion of Russia, the advance of the Japanese war machine in the Pacific, and of course the attack on Pearl Harbor that brings the United States fully into the war.

Particularly amazing is the divide between FDR and Churchill when it comes to Stalin. Churchil is a pragmatist and knows that he has to support Stalin in order to defeat the Nazis, but he is deeply wary of the Soviet leader, and reminds the readers that the Soviets were happy to go along and reap the spoils of Nazi aggression right up to the point that Hitler decided to invade. Roosevelt seems almost giddy to support the Soviets and occasionally "sides" with them instead of the British when it comes to allocation of resources and such. (There is also a propaganda campaign in the United States at this time to soften "Uncle Joe" for the American public). Even as early as 1942, Churchill seems to sense that post-war Europe is going to be swapping one dominating nation (Germany) for another (The Soviet Union) unless they can find a way to blunt Stalin's ambitions.

Fascinating stuff!

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating read this one. More clearly from the British point of view this one as Russia and USA enter the war but we only get broad stokes of the Russian campaigns compared to the detail of the desert. Also somewhat dry after reading Anthony Beevors Second World War book, in that it doesn’t go into detail at this stage at least on the various atrocities that had been going on. The beginning continues with Britain and the commonwealth pretty much alone, apart from unfortunate Balkan states coming into and out of the war due to Axis actions. Then Russia is invaded and things very much change, changed again Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour. It is interesting to see contemporary accounts on how surprising these turns of events were, and how many downstream impacts they had. It helps highlight at times the sheer amount of countries and territories involved at times, with action in Iraq, Iran, Eastern Africa countries and the Dutch overseas empire. Also shows I think how small twists of fortune can have big impacts, such as for the fate of the battleship Prince of Wales. All round an interesting read.

[Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the abridged version, it starts with Russia being attacked and negotiations with Britain to form an alliance. All the material and ships of tanks etc. are diverted to Russia instead of replenishing British forces.
The United States is attacked at Pearl Harbor and they enter the war.
Churchill flies to Washington and meets President Roosevelt and the US Senior Generals. Army Chief of Staff General Marshall, General Eisenhower, etc. plans are made to attack Germany before Japan.
Churchill flies to Moscow and meets with Stalin and Molotov, delivers bad news that Britain and US can’t open a second front on Germany that year. Begins to explain plan to attack Germans in North Africa.
Operation Torch is carried out at Casablanca and Algeria. Successful landing and begin campaign to defeat Rommel.
Russia holds Germans in the Balkans and the Cacausus mtns. and prevents them from gaining oilfields in Grozny and further south. Hitler wastes men and material in making siege on Stalingrad.
US and British generals debate whether to invade Italy or go strait to a cross channel invasion of France.