‘The only way in which we could possibly lose this war’

Abstract

On their return to Washington, Roosevelt gave Churchill the news of the surrender of the British forces in Tobruk, with 30 000 troops taken prisoner. This was a devastating blow to the Prime Minister, who felt that the garrison should have continued its resistance. The response from Roosevelt was: ‘What can we do to help?’ Churchill asked for Sherman tanks, then just coming into production. Though these were badly needed for the US Army, the request was granted. He also was promised an American armoured division for North Africa. Brooke considered that the bold decisions taken by the president in this crisis were decisive in cementing the personal confidence between Roosevelt, the Prime Minister and their military advisers. At Fort Jackson, Churchill watched US forces exercising. General Ismay thought that to put these inexperienced troops up against the Germans would be murder. ‘You are wrong’, said Churchill. ‘They are wonderful material and will learn very quickly’.¹