Themes • Key questions in twentieth-century Anglo-American relations • Just how special was the ‘special relationship’ in the Second World War? (Part 1, 1939–41) • The Sources • Source 9

Just how special was the ‘special relationship’ in the Second World War? (Part 1, 1939–41)

Source 9

Copy of a telegram from Winston Churchill to President Roosevelt, 22 September 1941

Reference

➜ CHAR 20/43/5

Simplified Transcript

PRIME MINISTER’S
PERSONAL TELEGRAM
SERIAL No T.603
FORMER NAVAL PERSON TO PRESIDENT.
Personal and Secret.

Your cheering telegram about Tanks arrived when we were feeling very miserable about all we’ve had to give up to Russia. The news of receiving nearly twice as many tanks encouraged everyone. The meetings with Russia have started in great goodwill and friendship.

Kindest regards.

22.9.41

Original Transcript

PRIME MINISTER’S
PERSONAL TELEGRAM
SERIAL No T.603
FORMER NAVAL PERSON TO PRESIDENT.
Personal and Secret.

Your cheering cable about Tanks arrived when we were feeling very blue about all we have to give up to Russia. The prospect of nearly doubling the previous figures encouraged everyone. The Missions have started in great goodwill and friendship.
Kindest regards.

22.9.41

What is this source?

This is a copy of a telegram from Winston Churchill, calling himself ‘Former Naval Person’, to President Roosevelt sent on 22 September 1941.

Background to this source

Churchill was deeply worried in September 1941 because the Soviet Union had been invaded by Germany in June and was having to retreat rapidly. He was worried that Joseph Stalin, the Russian leader, might surrender and leave Britain to fight Germany and Italy alone. The news that the US was doubling the number of tanks it was building to give to Britain was very pleasing to Churchill as it meant he could send more supplies to help defend Russia.

Britain needed an increasing number of tanks to fight against the German and Italian forces in North Africa and to supply to their Russian allies of the USSR. Germany had declared war on the Soviet Union in June 1941 and was making rapid advances. Britain had agreed to send aircraft, tanks and guns to the Russians but first needed to get these in greater numbers from the US.

Churchill called himself ‘Former Naval Person’ when corresponding with Roosevelt. He’d been in charge of the Admiralty (the government department which ran the Royal Navy) in the First World War and it was a link he had with Roosevelt who, at the same time, had served in the US Navy as Assistant Secretary.

How can we use this source in the investigation?

Remember, we’re hoping that this source can be useful to us in investigating what was special about the relationship between Britain and the US in the early years of the Second World War. Sources usually help historians in two ways:

Surface level

What mood was Churchill in before he received this telegram?
Why was this telegram so encouraging?
Who does Churchill have to share the tanks with?

Deeper level

Which of the inferences below can be made from this source?

	On a scale of 1-5 how far do you agree that this source supports this inference?	Which extract(s) from the source support your argument?
Churchill was very honest with Roosevelt about his personal feelings.
Churchill used his emotions to influence Roosevelt.
Churchill liked Roosevelt more than he liked Stalin.
The US is virtually at war alongside Britain at this point.

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Need help interpreting the source?

What tone does Churchill write in to Roosevelt? Is it formal and professional or informal and friendly?
Does Churchill appear to be honest with Roosevelt?
Could he be trying to influence Roosevelt in any way?
How and why might he do this?

Explore the guide to interpreting telegrams

➜ Source 10

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